Troops have moved deep inside Sambisa

The Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai, says Nigerian troops have penetrated deep into the Sambisa forest and are already doing well in their operations in the forest.

Buratai made the disclosure on Thursday in Abuja in a remark after he decorated some of the newly-promoted senior officers with their new ranks.

He thanked President Muhammadu Buhari for approving the elevation of the senior officers and for the support he had been giving to the Army.

Buratai described the president’s support as “invaluable’’ and largely responsible for the successes being recorded by troops in the fight against the Boko Haram terrorists in the North-East and other operations.

“We have resolved to maintain the pressure from all fronts, both in the North-East and southern part of the country, on any form of insurgency and militancy to ensure that our country is safe,’’ he said.

Buratai noted that there had been “drastic changes’’ in operations and in areas of training, welfare and infrastructure since he assumed duty in 2015 as chief of army staff.

The army chief charged the newly-promoted officers to rededicate themselves to duty, saying that promotion was a form of motivation and one of the key aspects of officers’ welfare.

He said that in keeping with his vision of having a professional army to discharge its duty, he had sought to grant promotion opportunities to “serving and deserving’’ officers and soldiers.

“For those promoted, you are the lucky few ones among many that were presented for consideration this year – 2016.

“To whom much is given, much is expected,’’ he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that 21 Majors-General were decorated with their new rank at the occasion.

Among those decorated with their new rank of Brigadier-General was the army spokesman, Sani Usman.

NAN recalls that the Army Council had on Dec. 10 approved the promotion of 227 senior officers from various ranks to their next ranks.

Twenty 21 Brigadiers-General moved to Majors-General, 93 Colonels, including Usman, moved to Brigadiers-General and 113 Lieutenant Colonels moved to Colonels in the exercise.