Buratai Assures Jos Residents, “You’ll Never Witness Boko Haram Attacks Like Before Again”

Chief of Army Staff-Tukur BurataiThe Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Yusuf Tukur Buratai, has assured residents of Jos, the Plateau state capital that they will never witness frequent Boko Haram attacks on markets, schools and worship centers as they witnessed in the time past.

The army chief gave the assurance in Jos on Monday when he paid a courtesy visit to the Chairman, Plateau State Council of Traditional Rulers and Gbong Gwom Jos, His Royal Majesty, Da Jacob Gyang Buba in his palace in Jishe Jos.

The last time the city of Jos was attacked was in July 2015, when two separate bomb attacks on a restaurant and mosque, killed at least 44 people. Although no group claimed the attack, it had Boko Haram’s trademark style written all over it.

Gen. Buratai, who was on a familiarization tour of military units and formations under the 3 Division of the Nigerian Army, told monarch that the Nigerian Army has already defeated Boko Haram and rendered the extremist group incapacitated.

He said: “Your Royal Majesty I’m here this morning to pay a courtesy call on you before embarking on my familiarization tour to units and formations under the 3 Division and indeed Operation Safe Haven (OPSH) here on the Plateau.

“You can see that our efforts in the Northeast has really paid off as you can recall the incessant bombing of market places and different places of worships and population areas has virtually stopped now. And I can assure you and the people of Plateau state that they will never witness Boko Haram attacks like you witnessed in the past.

“For a long time now we have not had any cases of that nature here on the Plateau and other parts of Nigeria, it is because of the efforts of the military in the Northeast. The Nigerian Army has not only succeeded in rooting them from their camps in the North East, we have been able to blocked these criminal elements from crossing up to this areas or building their camp anywhere in Nigeria.

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“I want to assure you that we would remain resolute in the discharge of our duties, I want to particularly commend you on your role as the Gbong Gwom Jos including all the moral support you gave us through wise counsel. We must acknowledge your support.

“Apart from you, I want to also acknowledge the cooperation of Plateau people to the Nigerian Army, it is a fact that we have received excellent cooperation and understanding especially towards the Nigerian Army operating in Plateau State. I know there has been little challenges here and there and the most recent one is the one that happened last two to three weeks or about, but not withstanding we still got your full backing and full support and the Army in particular will ensure that we maintained the needed peace at all time.

“The Commander Operation Safe Haven just assumed duty; I personally chose him to head this Command because of his experience and knowledge and diplomatic skills when he was the Chief of Civil Military Affairs in Army Headquarters. I want to assure you that the Army will give all the corporations within its duties as enshrine in the Constitution, and we want to reassure you that permanent peace will return back to Plateau State”.

In his remarks, the Gbong Gwom said, “The success of the Nigerian Army over Boko Haram did not come to me as a surprise because I know very well that the Nigerian Army historically has always distinguished itself wherever they have served and today, that particular history is still very much playing itself out.

“Let me on behalf of Plateau State thank you and your men whom over the years have been paying sacrifices to work towards restoring peace, law and order not in Plateau State but all over Nigeria. Just some months back, Nigerians were apprehensive to whether Boko Haram will consume Nigeria or Nigeria would overcome it.

“But we thank God Almighty for your efforts and that of your men by restoring hope to Nigerians. The sacrifices you have made that have translated to almost a total end to this destructive elements

“We note that upon the discharge of this responsibility you have lost some men who sacrifice their lives for peace of this Country, we pray that God in his Mercy would grant them internal rest and console their families.

“My appreciation goes to the President and Commander in Chief of the Army Forces, President Muhammad Buhari for waging a successful fight against insurgency in the country”.