Banditry must stop – Buratai tells soldiers

The Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen TY Buratai, yesterday ordered soldiers to ensure banditry stops in the north-west.

“We must work hard to defend our country from all external aggression and also to ensure that we support the civil authority, that is our constitutional mandate and we must do it,” he said.

Buratai stated this while addressing officers and men of the 8 Division of the Nigerian Army, Sokoto.

“We are already working hard to see that we maintain the needed security environment and the challenges are coming especially in this part of the country, the Northwest, where you have banditry activities as well as cattle rustling which has led to so many unfortunate deaths from civil population. This must be stopped, is that clear?

“You must work within now and ensure the stability of security environment here is quickly re-established,” he directed.

He also called on the officer and men to perform optimally, especially in the run-up to the general elections and beyond.

The Army Chief who was in Sokoto to conduct an operational visit to the Division, including the formally launch of Operation Python Dance, stressed the need for officers to ensure high standards of discipline, professionalism and civilmilitary relations as they conduct the operation.

He said: “You must remain on the alert at all times and when deplored, you must make sure that know your environment, know your immediate community. “We will make sure that we continue to re-kit you and make sure that the medical facilities are also of high standard.”