Bamaiyi to Buratai: Prioritise welfare of soldiers and watch them die for you

Ishaya Bamaiyi, a former chief of army staff, has advised Tukur Buratai, the current army chief, to give top priority to the welfare of his men and watch them defend him with  their lives, if the need arises.

Bamaiyi, who spoke in Abuja on Thursday, at the launch of ‘Vindication of a General’, a book he authored, advised soldiers to serve with integrity.

“If you place the welfare of your soldiers first, they can give their lives for your defence. But if you ask soldiers to cough out N10 million to purchase a house, then what it means is that you are encouraging them to go to the road and steal,” he said.

“I have tried to see the present chief of army staff, Gen Tukur Buratai, on this issue. I am happy I can see so many officers here. At least, I have sent my message across anyhow.”

Recalling the sad experiences of the past, when soldiers engaged in the fight against insurgency had no weapons, Bamaiyi advised Buratai to put in his best to stabilise the military.

“In my village, a soldier told me that he had fled the north-east due to non-provision of bullets and ammunition,” he said.

“Disturbed by the news, I sought an audience with President Goodluck Jonathan. When I finally saw him and spoke to him on the situation in the north-east and how soldiers were fleeing the troubled zone, he said that he had heard of such and doubted if the money he was releasing to the military was being used for that purpose.

“And we have heard what has happened with some of the service chiefs. It is not true that we are all the same. We must serve with integrity and do what is expected of us. We should be seen to be standing for the truth.”

Also speaking at the occasion, Yakubu Gowon, former military head of state, commended Bamaiyi for resilience and expressing his views which were mostly contrary to that of his superiors.

“I commend the candour and integrity of General Bamaiyi and his resilience of standing up and expressing his views to his superiors even when he knew they were not the same with those of his superiors,” he said.

Hamza Al-Mustapha, former chief security officer, to Sani Abacha, former military head of state,and Kola Abiola, son to late MKO Abiola were among those at the programmes.