Military to reassess performance of troops in Northeast - Buratai

The Chief of Army Staff, Lt-Gen. Tukur Buratai, says the military hierarchy will review the entire counter-insurgency operations in order to improve the performance of troops in the northeast.

Buratai made the plan known while addressing troops at the Nigerian Army 7 Division Tactical Headquarters in Bama on Tuesday.

Although Buratai assured the troops that the planned overhaul would address observable lapses in the operation.

He expressed satisfaction with the performance of the troops involved in the special operation to finally rid Sambisa forest of Boko Haram insurgents, code-named, 'Operation Crack Down’.

"I want to assure you that as soon as you are through with this phase, we will readjust the policy for this operation.

"We will readjust the deployment, we will re-strategise so that we will have a very new approach to fighting this insurgency.

"We will try to provide all the logistics that you need in this operation.

"For those of you who have been here for some time, you can see the difference, we have tried to change the way things were done,’’ he said.

Buratai saluted the troops’ gallantry and commitment in the operations and assured them of President Muhammadu Buhari’s support as well as the prayers of all Nigerians.

He urged the troops to sustain the momentum till the remnants of the insurgents in Sambisa forest and environs were cleared.

Buratai stressed the importance of the special Sambisa forest operation, tagged `Operation Crack Down’, noting that it was important in terminating the existence of Boko Haram in Nigeria.

"I want to say well done for operation Lafiya Dole and for the special operation, `Operation Crack Down’. I am satisfied with the brief from your General Officer Commanding (GOC).

"This operation is very crucial in the overall plan of Operation Lafiya Dole and the Federal Government’s plan to end insurgency in the northeast.

"Your GOC has assured me that you guys will not waste time in this forest, you must smoke them out quickly and face other areas so that you can reunite with your families in good time.

"We are here today to say well done; President Muhammadu Buhari is happy with you and so are other Nigerians,’’ he said.

The Army chief on arrival at the military base in Bama had operational brief with operational commanders before interacting with the troops.

Buratai also inspected troops and equipment mobilisation before they were deployed for the ongoing `Operation Crack Down’ in the heart of the Sambisa forest.

Buratai was accompanied on the visit by senior officers at the Army Headquarters and the Military Command and Control Centre in Maiduguri.