Photos: Chief of Army Staff, Lt.Gen. Buratai decorates 63 soldiers, 2 officers with gallantry medals

The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General TY Buratai on Tuesday, 8th August, presented gallantry awards medals to 2 officers and 63 soldiers serving of 151 Task Force Battalion, 21 Brigade Nigerian Army, Operation LAFIYA DOLE, for their gallantry and bravery in the face of the enemy.

A statement signed by Lieutenant Colonel Kingsley Samuel, the Deputy Director Army Public Relations Headquarters 7 Division, said the beneficiaries came under Boko Haram terrorists attack in 2  separate occasions, but were able to manoeuvre their way out of the ambush and engaged the terrorists, inflicting  heavy casualties on them and also capturing their weapons, Improvised Explosive Devices, Gun trucks and logistics on 10th July 2017.

"During his address to the troops of 21 Brigade in Bama, shortly after presenting the gallantry awards, the COAS described soldiering as a call to national service. He congratulated the troops for the successes achieved so far in the ongoing clearance operations against the remnants of Boko  Haram terrorists.  He urged them not to rest on their oars but conclude the fight  against Boko Haram Terrorists and return back to barracks to continue with training and other routine duties.

"Earlier, the COAS had a stop over at 202 Battalion location in Awulari along Bama Road, where he witnessed the test firing of an artillery weapons by 304 Artillery  Regiment and thereafter proceeded to visit the Alau Dam along Konduga road. The COAS and his entourage joined the troops on patrol in gun  boats stationed at the jetty.
He was accompanied on the visit by the Chief of Training and Operations at the Army Headquarters , Major General David Ahmadu, Theatre Commander, Operation LAFIYA DOLE, Major General Ibrahim Attahiru, the Acting General Officer Commanding 7 Division, Brigadier General Ibrahim Manu Yusuf and other Principal Staff Officers and Directors from the Army Headquarters.

"It would be recalled that the COAS has in compliance with the Acting President, Prof Yemi Osinbajo’s directive to service chiefs since returned to the Theatre and has been touring  various Army formations under Operation LAFIYA DOLE.  

"On  Monday, 7th of August the COAS visited 25 Task Force Brigade, 7 Division Nigerian Army, in Damboa where he was received and briefed by the Brigade Commander, Brigadier General Quadri. This was on his way from Buni Yadi in Yobe State where he went to monitor and participate in  the training of troops of Mobile Strike Teams that are due to be injected into Operation LAFIYA DOLE to enhance a more robust clearance operations against the remnants of Boko Haram terrorists in the North East."

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