The immediate past Chief of Army Staff, retired Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai,
says he left the Nigerian Army better than he met.
Buratai stated this in his valedictory speech during the Pulling Out
Parade by the Nigerian Army on Friday in Abuja.
He said that the army under his watch had achieved tremendous feat in
the fight against insurgency and other security threats in the country.
He added that he ensured adequate training of personnel and enhancement
of war fare capabilities of the army as well as prioritisation of
personnel welfare.
“Today is a day of appreciation and not a stocktaking, but let me put on
record that I left Nigerian Army better than I met it.
“The Nigerian Army under my leadership was able to achieve great feat in
the fight against insurgency in the country.
“We have been experiencing pockets of threats here and there, but I can
confidently say that no part of Nigeria is ceded to any terrorist group
or criminals.
“The counter insurgency operation is a warfare new to Nigerian Army but
over time, we have continued to device means of tackling the ever
evolving dynamic nature of the threats in the country.
“The Nigerian Army has remained resolute in the discharge of its roles
as enshrined in the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“I urge you all to continue to rise to the occasion,” he said.
Buratai said that while it was always necessary to say goodbye at a
point in life, he said it was not easy to find the right word to say
goodbye to the courageous and dedicated team that worked with him.
He said that Nigerian Army also made giant strides in infrastructure
development across the country.
Buratai commended the officers and soldiers of Nigerian Army for their
dedication and loyalty, which he said assisted him to achieve so much in
office.
The former COAS also thanked President Muhammadu Buhari for the
opportunity to serve the country as well as providing an enabling
environment for him to succeed.
He also commended the effort of the government of Borno in the war
against insurgency, assuring that the war would soon be a thing of the
past.
He urged politicians to always leave military out of politics, adding
that the country needed politicians who are statesmen to support the
military in addressing the prevailing security challenges.
According to him, there is no gain saying that there cannot be
development without security and lack of development breeds insecurity.
He solicited support for the new Chief of Army Staff, Maj.-Gen. Ibrahim
Attahiru, to be able to deliver on his mandate.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Buratai was officially
pulled out of service in a parade held in his honour at Mogadishu
Cantonment, Asokoro, Abuja. (NAN)