Service chiefs brief Osinbajo, pledge total loyalty to Buhari

The Nigeria military has pledged “total commitment and loyalty” to President Muhammadu Buhari.

Buhari has been in the United Kingdom on extended medical vacation since January 19.

Briefing Acting President Yemi Osinbajo at the presidential villa on Wednesday, Mansur Dan-Ali, minister of defence, who led the service chiefs to the meeting, said the military was totally committed and loyal to the president.

He said more progress had been made in the war against insurgency in the north-east.

Dan-Ali commended the government for adequately funding the military, which he said has helped it in the conduct of its operations.

“Let me start by expressing our appreciation to the current administration for their relentless support and continuous funding of the armed forces in the conduct of its operations,” he said.

“This has no doubt impacted positively on the capacity of our armed forces and troops in fighting the Boko Haram terrorists in the north-east and other security threats across the country.

“On behalf of the armed forces and other security agencies, we pledge our total commitment and loyalty to the president and commander-in-chief of the armed forces of Nigeria.

“Our troops in conjunction with the vigilante groups successfully conducted clearance operations in villages and Boko Haram camps which led to the recovery of weapons and communication equipment as well as apprehension of many suspects.

“This is being supported by continuous aerial surveillance by the Nigeria air force so as to ensure that terrorists do not regroup.

“In addition, several high profile Boko Haram commanders were arrested and over 20,000 persons mostly women and children held hostage by the terrorists were rescued.

“Also, the armed forces are currently providing medical support and basic amenities such as food, clothing, and water supply to most IDP camps in the north-east.

“The Nigeria army small arms competition will be conducted by seventh division at Sambisa forest to consolidate the gains achieved so far and further sharpen the skills of our troops.”

Dan-Ali also informed Osinbajo that the military had procured  more equipment that would aid it in the fight against insurgency.

Those present at the meeting were Babagana Monguno, national security adviser; Gabriel Olonisakin, chief of defence staff; Tukur Buratai, chief of army staff; Abubakar Sadique, chief of air staff; Ibas Ibok,  chief of naval staff; Lawal Daura, director-general of the Department of State Services (DSS), and Ibrahim Idris, inspector-general of police.