The Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja, celebrated Eid-el-Kabir with troops stationed in the North East for counter-terrorism operations.
During the celebration, the Army Chief urged the troops to sustain the momentum against the terrorists.
A statement on Monday by the Director, Army Public Relations, Major General Onyema Nwachukwu stated the COAS also commended the troops for the gains recorded so far in the fight against insurgency.
It partly read, “On Monday, June 17, 2024, while celebrating the Eid-El-Kabir with troops at the front lines, the COAS commended troops of Joint Task Force North East Operation HADIN KAI on the occasion of the Eid-El-Kabir celebration for the gains so far made in the fight against terrorism and insurgency in the North East Theatre, urging them to sustain the momentum. ”
Onyema said the COAS acknowledged the sacrifices of those killed in the war against terrorism.
He said, “As an Army, it has been a year of unquantifiable sacrifices in blood and treasure, as we have lost gallant warriors and precious equipment to the ongoing fight against terrorism and insurgency.”
He also appreciated the dedication of the troops, many of whom, he said, ‘still bear the physical and emotional scars of battle’, adding, that they have displayed uncommon courage in the face of daunting challenges and have always emerged victorious.
Onyema noted that before the luncheon, the COAS had commissioned several projects in Maimalari Cantonment, including the newly constructed Headquarters 47 Engineers Brigade Office complex, a newly constructed road named Major General YM Abubakar Drive and another newly rehabilitated connecting road.
In his welcome address, the Theatre Commander, JTF NE OPHK, Major General Waidi Shaibu stated that the presence of the COAS in the theatre was not only to mark the Eid-El-Kabir Celebration but to also witness the modest gains in troops’ offensive operations from January to date across the Theatre.
He catalogued the several recoveries made by the troops, including one each of VBL, MOWAG APC, PHANTOM MRAP, PROFORCE MRAP, CAMEL MRAP, LOW BED, and other vehicles with various degrees of damage by insurgent actions which have been repaired by the Theatre Main Repair Group.
He pointed out that it was expedient to showcase the repaired assets captured and recovered from the insurgents to discourage the practice of adding more to the equipment graveyard in the theatre.
