President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the establishment of Operation Whirl Stroke II to address security challenges in Zamfara and Birnin Gwari in Kaduna State.
It will complement Operation Whirl Stroke I in Benue, Nasarawa and Taraba States and Operation Safe Haven in Plateau State.
The 3 Operations are joint operations under the control of Defence Headquarters.
Major General Abubakar Maikobi has been appointed Force Commander of Whirl Stroke II, Major General MA Yekini for Whirl Stroke I and to be in charge of Safe Haven is Major General Anthony Atolagbe.
It would be recalled that the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Buratai during a media briefing to herald the start of this year’s Nigerian Army Day Celebration in Maiduguri, Borno State, reiterated the combat capability of the Nigerian Army.
He said to reflect this year’s celebration, the Army would display strides that have transformed the Nigerian Army in areas of innovation, research and development, civil military relations and technological advances.
“This is in addition to projecting the Nigerian Army as an instrument of national unity, integration and development. This year, the Nigerian Army will be marking 155 years of its existence, dating back to its inception in 1863,” Buratai stated.
Lt. Gen. Buratai said the Nigerian military was committed to ensuring security throughout Nigeria’s territorial borders by looking into more innovative ways of handling security issues through research development and diving more into the technological aspects of security.
National Development
With the Theme, “The Nigerian Army and National Security: A Panacea for Nigeria’s Economic Development,” Lt. Gen. Buratai said the Nigerian Army was determined more than ever before, to contribute its quota to national development.
“This theme is also in line with my vision “to have a Professionally Responsive Nigerian Army in the discharge of its Constitutional Roles,”
Our security architecture as a country is one with a very positive outlook. We have not only consolidated on the gains established in the fight against insurgency in the North East but have progressed to the post stabilization phase where all efforts are geared towards ensuring displaced persons return to their biological homes which are now safe,” he said.
The Chief of Army Staff stated that the Nigerian Army was continuously making sacrifices towards ensuring the unity and development of Nigeria and sought for the cooperation, prayers and goodwill of all.
“The current crisis in Plateau, Benue, Taraba and Zamfara States are both induced internally and externally. So many forces are against Nigeria. The target is the corporate existence of Nigeria as a country. The blame game along ethnic and religious fault lines is not the solution. Nigerians must unite to solve this serious challenge.”
Lt. Gen. Burutai stressed that the Nigerian Army was not sleeping.
“We are continuously exploiting all the linkages and leads towards addressing the security challenges we shall get to the roots of all the crisis militarily. Therefore, we must be tolerant of one another and give peace a chance. Let us also remember that no nation can develop or be economically vibrant without peace. Let us join hands to collectively build and take this nation forward. I therefore urge us all to desist from acts that are capable of truncating the peace. We must be tolerant of one another and learn to give peace a chance,” he said.
He gave an assurance that the Nigerian Army was for all and would continue to work for the common good of the country while professionally carrying out its constitutional responsibilities.
