By Martin Paul and Gom Mirian ,  Abuja

The Nigerian Army has reiterated its commitment to safeguard the territorial integrity of the country, stamp out all forms of insecurity and protect lives and property of citizens.

The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Tukur Buratai, re-echoed the Army’s resolves at the weekend in Abuja, when management and Editorial Board of DAILY ASSET Newspapers paid him a courtesy call in his office.

Buratai said the Army was fighting heart and soul not only to end the Boko Haram insurgency, but to free the country from other criminalities.

The COAS, who spoke through the Chief of Project and Programmes of the Nigerian Army, Maj.

While calling for an improved media relationship and collaboration to bring lasting peace into the country, Buratai, who is the 2019 DAILY ASSET Man of the Year nominee added: “We are honoured with your choice of the Chief of Army Staff for the award”.

He commended the DAILY ASSET management for effective reportage of activities of the Nigerian Army and beyond, stressing that “one thing the Chief of Army Staff is interested, is the accuracy of reportage.

“There is nothing that requires hiding in the operation of the Nigerian Army today. If there is anything that needs clarification, fall back on us and we will tell you whatever is the truth”, he said.

The Publisher and Editor-in-Chief of the DAILY ASSET Newspaper, Dr.  Cletus Akwaya, in his address stated that the Editorial Board and Management of the paper, nominated the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt. Gen. Tukur Yusuf Buratai for the paper’s ‘Man of the Year’ Award, 2019

in recognition of the monumental achievements he recorded in the fight against terrorism and the infrastructural transformation of the Nigerian Army across the country. 

“We have observed the activities, the achievements and the operations of the current Chief of Army Staff and we are very delighted with his achievements.

“We can’t account for all his achievements, but what is visible is the war against Boko Haram. Everyone knows that the Army has been visible in the fight against terrorism led by Lt. Gen. Tukur Yusuf Buratai”, he said. 

Akwaya also noted that the award had been an annual event and that the DAILY ASSET Newspapers adopted it as part of its contribution to nation building, where individuals who distinguished themselves in the discharge of their duties, were selected.

“The selection has no influence of any kind. It is purely on facts, our researches and investigations, hence we found Buratai suitable as the recipient of DAILY ASSET Man of the Year 2019.

“We have no contact with any senior person in the Army, it was based on reports from reporters in the field and the internal assessment by the editorial board”, he noted. 

The award presentation, according to Akwaya, is scheduled for February 21, 2020 with other awardees and distinguished personalities, including senior government officials, political appointees, traditional rulers, business community, amongst other very important dignitaries, expected at the occasion.

Buhari Orders Air Force to Shell Bandits in Niger

By Mathew Dadiya, Abuja

President Muhammadu Buhari has condemned the repeated attacks by bandits on communities in Niger state and its environs, directing the Nigerian Air Force to deploy its fighter aircraft in checking the menace.

The president gave the directive in a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Malam Garba Shehu, in Abuja yesterday.

President Buhari described the repeated attacks which led to loss of several lives in the affected communities “as a disaster for the nation”.

He, therefore, authorized the deployment of air power to support troops and policemen deployed to the “difficult terrain,” to counter the menace of the attackers operating in the forest area bordering Kaduna, Niger and Zamfara states.

In line with this directive, according to the presidential aide, the Nigerian Air Force is setting up refueling facilities at Minna, Niger state, to support the air operations.

Shehu revealed that relevant military authorities had assured the president that given the improved weather conditions, a major exercise to “visually acquire targets” and launch attacks would soon follow.

He said: ”President Buhari has received assurances that with the harmattan dust gradually easing its hold on the skies, fighter aircraft would this week join the efforts to provide effective air attacks against bandits, kidnappers and cattle rustlers that have been attacking remote communities around Dogon Gona forest in Niger State.”

He added that the Police Command in Niger had equally given assurances that ”the planned dedicated air raids to complement the police helicopter gunship operations remain the best approach given the lack of motorized roads in the areas constantly under attack”.

President Buhari commiserated with the government and people of Niger State over the attacks and loss of lives, and assured that affected communities would not be abandoned by the rest of the country. 

Nyako Blames Politicians for Insecurity

Meanwhile, a retired Naval Officer and former Senator representing Adamawa Central, Senator Abdul-Azeez Nyako, has exonerated the military and rather blamed politicians for the current security challenge in the country.

Speaking with newsmen yesterday in Yola, Nyako said the Nigerian military had been overstretched in doing its best on the security situation and, therefore, deserved commendation.

He said politicians needed to do more in their expected role of providing good governance, particularly in addressing conflicts in their areas and in tackling key issues like extreme poverty that led to insecurity.

“The bulk of us, politicians, are providing bad leadership. We are only concern about the distribution of resources instead of good leadership or how to resolve issues and get our people out of the mess,” Nyako said.

He said if politicians could address the socio-economic challenges that led to Boko Haram insurgency, kidnapping and other violent crimes, over 80 per cent of security challenges in the country would be curtailed.

He observed that the military had actually degraded Boko Haram insurgents in North East forcing them to resort to guerrilla tactics unlike before when they operated in formations.

 “What I mean by operating information is that they used to muster platoon strength, company strength, battalion strength and probably brigade strength to face our armed forces at the peak of the insurgency. “They are now degraded and cannot fight information; they resorted to guerrilla tactics which make things difficult as they are mixed with the civilian populace. It’s like fish inside the water. “With this development, the military, government and civilian population has to evolve new tactics to deal with the matter.

“This kind of operation has to be intelligence heavy; there must be communication between civilian population and security agencies. It needs big transfer of information, quick reaction and protection of informants,” he said.