Boko Haram: Army chief warns combat troops

Soldiers deployed as members of the Joint Security Task Force, JTF, in Kano, northwest Nigeria, have been urged to ensure professionalism in the discharge of their duties.
The Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant-General Onyeabo Azubuike Ihejirika warned his men at Bukavo Barracks Friday evening to ensure restraint in the discharge of their duties.
Though the Army boss commended JTF Soldiers for their score-card so far, he reiterated the need for them to ensure the safety of women, children and good citizens in the cause of discharging their duties.
Ihejirika was in Kano for a “brief visit” and primarily to commission projects executed by the authorities of 3 Brigade, Nigeria Army, Kano.
Among projects commissioned by the Army Chief include the newly built Brigade Headquarters, Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Barracks and bore-hole projects.
The Army Chief, who commended the pace of infrastructural development at 3 Brigade, said he was impressed at the level of commendation given to JTF soldiers by various stakeholders upon his visit to the northern commercial city.
“You have been commended every where I visited. I want to remind you that your job is serving the people. Always conduct yourself professionally; I am very happy with your performance.
“Remember that your operation is highly demanding and it calls for restraint I am also happy that in all your operations so far, you have ensured the safety of women and children. I thank you and commend you for good conduct,” Ihejirika told the JTF troops.
At Kano Government House, while on a courtesy visit to the state Governor, Dr. Muhammad Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, the Army boss pledged cooperation to the transformational agenda of the Governor in Kano.
According to him, already, military Doctors are offering free-medical services to Kano citizens, adding that Army authorities were ready to release trained Engineers to help in rebuilding infrastructural facilities in Kano city.
He also told the Governor that as part of Army’s social responsibility programmes, he commissioned a bore-hole donated to the Kano community by the Nigeria Army, “and this is part of our commitment to ensure smooth military-civil relationship.”
The Kano Chief Executive, Kwankwaso, thanked the Chief of Army Staff for the supporting officers and men from the state in terms of appointment and promotion, and commended the efforts of the commander of 3 Brigade in ensuring peace and order in Kano.
Kwankwaso further stated that his government would continue to work together with the military and other security agencies to ensure lasting peace in Kano state.