Army promotes troops involved in Baga recovery

The Nigerian army has announced a special promotion for the soldiers involved in liberating Baga, a border community in Borno state, from the grip of Boko Haram insurgents.

Kenneth Minimah, chief of army staff, announced the promotion while addressing the soldiers during an official visit to the community on Wednesday.

He said his visit was aimed at boosting the soldiers’ morale and building more confidence in them.

“The entire country is singing praises of Nigerian soldiers for the bravery exhibited in the fight against the insurgents,” he said.

“I urge you to keep the tempo by striving hard to record more successes.”

Minimah said the promotion was to reward the soldiers for their gallant effort in dislodging the insurgents, adding that the officers who lost their lives in the battle would also be promoted posthumously.

He expressed optimism that the militants would be defeated within the next couple of weeks.

“Never again will Nigerians suffer this kind of large scale destruction in the name of insurgency,” he said.

“The war is almost ended; we will liberate Dikwa, Bama, Gwoza, Marte and other places in a few days time.”

He urged Nigerians to support the military in its quest to end the insurgency.

“Nigerians should maintain confidence in the Nigerian armed forces. They should support our military because there is no other,” he said.

“War is war. War does not often come out in favour of any one. In fact, it is the end that justifies the means.

“The war, as it stands, has turned out for the good of Nigerian armed forces, and God willing, in a matter of time, it will be over.So, I encourage Nigerians to support their military.”

“So, I encourage Nigerians to support their military.”

He said it was possible for the military to meet up with the six weeks that the federal government set as target for it to defeat Boko Haram.

“It is achievable; we are still within the time frame. But six weeks should not be taken that everything must be attained because this is war,” he said.

On February 21, Chris Olukolade, defence spokesman, announced that the military has succeeded in overpowering the sect from Baga, which was a scene of massacre on January 3.