“Since yesterday we have been met with very strong resistance – from more than pockets of Boko Haram. This morning, from every flank not less than 15-gun trucks were facing us.”
He later directed the troops to gather all the bodies of the soldiers that paid the supreme price into available vehicles in order to quickly move them out of the danger zone. “We have casualties. I will come and see you in person on what we need to do. But we are not running.” He was also removed as commander of Operation Lafiya Dole shortly afterward, with Buratai earlier commending him on April 5 for successes recorded in the anti-insurgency war under his leadership.
“He never led from the rear; he was always in the front. That is the type of leadership that is required and that is an excellent attribute of a field leader. I have always emphasised that you must lead by example. A breakdown of the sanctions shows 33 naval officers were found wearing their uniforms in fresh social media uploads, 40 soldiers were caught in the same act while 76 members of the Nigerian Air Force were affected.10 of the 40 Nigerian Army personnel are commissioned officers, with captain as the most-senior rank, while the remaining 30 are soldiers.
He called on the Nigerian media to support the military as it strives to secure, defend the nation, protect vital national interests and fulfill national military responsibilities.He stressed that the media should strive to protect the hearts and minds of the people against fake news and misinformation as the military protects the nation’s territorial space.