Insurgency: Army Reiterates Plans To Re-engage Ex-personnel

By Gbenga Akingbule 

As part of measures to ensure the restoration of peace in all parts of the troubled North-East Region and other parts of the country, the Chief of Army Staff, (COAS), Lt Gen Farouk Yahaya at the weekend, revealed that there is an ongoing process to re-engage most qualified and competent discharged and retired personnel to complement efforts of troops to restore peace in the North East and country in general.

Gatekeepers News reports that COAS who was represented by the Theatre Commander of Operation Hadin Kai Maj. Gen  Christopher Musa made the disclosure at the send forth/dinner hosted by the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 7 Division and Commander Sector 1 Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK), Major General Waidi Shaibu in honour of eight (8) discharged Nigerian Army (NA) Officers within 7 Division Area of Responsibility.

The Army Chief, however, urged all retired military personnel not to rest on their oars, but to continue to support the ongoing fight against Boko Haram, banditry and other criminalities bedevilling the Nation.

The occasion which took place at Maimalari Cantonment Officers’ Mess, attracted the presence of Major General Bulama Biu (rtd) who is the Special Guest of Honour, military and paramilitary officers, traditional rulers, Civil Society Organisations, the Media and other stakeholders.

COAS urged the discharged Officers to take advantage of the various welfare scheme initiated.

According to COAS  “I want to use this opportunity to congratulate you on your successful retirement from active service.

“I  acknowledge your sacrifices and resilience in the course of defending our fatherland, especially in the fight against terrorism in the North East Area of Responsibility (NEAR).

“I reiterate that there is an ongoing process to re-engage some of you, (discharged/retired military personnel) who are qualified to complement efforts of troops restore peace in the North East and country in general,”  COAS said.

The discharged Officers include; Col. Yakubu Hassan, Col Mohammed Akilu, Lt. Col. EA Nwachukwu, Lt. Col. A Bello, Major Joseph Danladi, Capt. Ubang Usoro, Capt. OA Akunyeme and Lt. Daniel Rumu, all retired.

The Special Guest of Honour, Major General Bulama Biu (rtd), charged the retirees to shun all attitudes that will jeopardize the integrity of the Nigerian Army while mingling with their host communities.

Major General Biu, who had served as the GOC 7 Div up to 2020 said, it is a great honour and privilege to see his friends and fighters who were all on the battlefield together up to 2020 before he left the theatre.

“I am glad to celebrate together with these gallant troops who have retired from active service, but not tired,” Gen. Biu said.