Lt-Gen Buratai, COAS
From SADIQ ABUBAKAR, Maiduguri –
As part of celebrations marking the 157 years of the establishment of the Nigerian Army in Nigeria this year, NADCEL, on the directive of the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt. Gen. T. Y. Buratai, the GOC 7 Division NA Maimalari Cantonment Maiduguri Brigadier-General Abdul Khalifa Ibrahim, has organized distribution of palliatives to cushion the sufferings of the people of Ngomari Gana ward Maiduguri.
He also simultaneously held a medical outreach for a target of 600 residents of the Gomari Custain area located behind UMTH Maiduguri Saturday.
General Ibrahim told journalists during the palliatives distribution and medical Outreach that in an effort to strengthen military-civil relationship in the society among the people, Lt. Gen. Buratai had directed that as part of the NADCEL 2020, all military formations of the NA should celebrate with it’s host Community and extend hand of fellowship to all and sundry especially, the less privileged in the society who are more vulnerable as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
He said: “The gestures were also aimed at proving to the civilians in the society that the Nigerian Military army has a human face and has regards for the people who form the society as the military will also one day return to the society and become a civilian”and.
General Abdul further explained that this informed the recognition accorded the ex-servicemen during the medical services delivery which minor operations/surgeries were conducted and about 15 serious cases were referred to the NA 7 Division Hospital at Maimalari Cantonment Maiduguri for further treatments and food items as well as condiments were distributed to the people x-servicemen, vulnerable women, youths, old aged and the Physically Challenged among others.
According to him, the events also include clearance of waste disposal and drainage at the famous Baga Road Fish International Market on Friday and it would be closed today Saturday with the Palliatives Distribution and medical Outreach while acknowledging the support Borno people have been giving to the NA in it’s fight against the Insurgency and restoration of peace in the state.
The GOC, who is also the Commander, Sector 1 , Operation Lafiyà Dole, Theater Command Headquarters said “the security Situation in the state has drastically improved far better than what it used to be in the past , especially, 5 years ago when I was at the NA Headquarters Abuja as a Colonel and used to come to Maiduguri on assignments”.
” Five years ago Maiduguri was in serious security challenges when almost all roads and streets were either blocked or barricaded. Check points were everywhere. Movements were highly restricted including pedestrian movements talk-less of Motorists.
“Attacks were everywhere. People were scared to go out from their homes or travel out. Places were not safe at whole compare to today. The security Situation has greatly improved although we have not reached our level but the situation is far better than before and we shall continue to do our job to ensure peace returned permanently to the state.
“We however need the support of all and sundry to achieve that. We thank everybody for his or her support , especially, the state government and traditional rulers as well as community leaders and other security outfits complementing the efforts of the NA.
“We started discussion with the state government even in the relocation or return of the IDPs back to their ancestral homes as security Situation Improves Hence we have enough equipment and logistics as well as improved welfare for our gallant troops”, Abdul said.