Army Chief orders review of military operation against kidnappers

The Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen.

Buratai gave the order while addressing officers and soldiers at the Chari Maigumeri Barracks in Lokoja on Tuesday.

He said that the troops must change their mode of operation to contain the spate of criminality in the state, adding that criminals hiding in the hills and forests must be fished out at all cost.

He said that the Army headquarters would provide the necessary logistics to aid the troops in arresting the ugly trend in the state.

``You must change the way you operate in the state; you have been trained to operate in the hills and forests, so I expect you to change your tactics.

``I have spoken to your commander and I am hoping that you will have a new approach to the operations; the approach has to change for the better.

``We provided those motorcycles for you so that you can move deep inside the forest and arrest the criminals; that was the essence of deploying the motorcycle unit to this place.

``We are making efforts to get additional vehicles for you," he said.

He said that steps had been taken to improve health, education and other facilities at the barracks.

The Army chief told the troops that President Buhari administration was making deliberate efforts to specifically improve the quality of schools in the barracks.

``We are addressing the issue of schools in the barracks for your children; it is being designed to give you the best at a low cost.

``We are doing the same thing for medical; your medical reception service here will be upgraded.

``For those that will require specialist attention abroad, we will make effort to take them there, so we are doing our best in this regard.

``We are also giving serious attention to your welfare; some of the pressing issues will begin to receive attention as soon as I return to Abuja.

"Your kitting is also being taken care of, before the week runs out, you will be kitted with new uniforms," he said.

Buratai urged the troops to maintain high standard of discipline, professionalism and physical fitness.

He said that inter-agency collaboration and respect for constituted authority and the rights of innocent citizens remained key in the Army's drive for professionalism.

He urged the soldiers to respect the rights and protect the lives and property of people around them at all times.

He warned that acts of indiscipline and professional misconduct would not be condoned by the authorities in charge.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Army chief interacted with barracks women as well as other members of the barracks community.