The Nigerian Army troop engaging the insurgents of the Northeast lowered their guards on Monday, as the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai, hosted them to a sumptuous Easter lunch in celebration of the Easter festivities.
The men of the Operation Lafiya Dole were treated to the luncheon at the Special Super Camp, Ngamdu, in Borno State.
The luncheon, according to the COAS, was in keeping with the tradition of feasting with the troops in the frontline during festivities by the Chief of Army Staff.
While addressing the troops, Buratai said: “We are here today to have lunch in respect of 2020 Easter celebration.
“This morning, our Christian brothers had special prayers for all of us and we appreciate that.
“This afternoon, we are also coming to have this lunch, to thank Almighty God for bringing us to this point alive as soldiers, as a country, and of course in this our counter-insurgency operation.”
He assured the troops that the army would soon crush the terrorists in the NorthEast, while pointing out the complex nature of counter-terrorism operations.
“You may wonder why this counter-terrorism operation lingered for too long but we all know globally that counter-terrorism is very complex.
“There are some countries that have fought insurgency for close to 50 years. Well, we are not going to wait until 50 years to end this.
“As such, we are here, we will not leave this camp until we substantially degrade these criminals God’s willing,” he said.
Earlier, the Theatre Commander, Operation Lafiya Dole (OPLD), Maj.-Gen. Farouk Yahaya, thanked Buratai for his continuous support for the troops at the frontline.
Yahaya stated that the presence of the COAS in the frontline was a morale booster for the troops.
He, however, pledged the commitment of the troops to prosecuting the war against insurgency to its logical end.
According to him, the Easter luncheon is in recognition of the gallant contribution of the troops to the war against terrorism.
