By Kingsley Omonobi
Abuja—The Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General KTJ Minimah has vowed that never again will the Nigerian armed forces allow the Nigerian nation to go through the pains and murderous orgy visited on the country by terrorists even as he noted that President Goodluck Jonathan demonstrated tremendous leadership and unflinching support to the Nigerian armed forces in the face of the predicament the army found itself.

Chief of Nigerian army staff Lt.General Kenneth Minimah  AFP

The Army Chief made the vow even as the Defence headquarters disclosed that Nigerian troops have finally completed clearing terrorists out of Bama in Borno State and Goniri in the last Local Government area occupied by Boko Haram terrorists in Yobe State.

Speaking at the COAS 1st Quarterly Conference held at the Command Officers Mess in Abuja, General Minimah who was addressing General Officers Commanding, Corp Commanders, Principal staff Officers and Commanders of Special and Joint Task Forces, said, “Having turned the tide around, I want to say it is forward ever. Never again shall we allow our country to go through this process. Never again shall the Nigerian Army be humiliated”.

On the conduct of the Operation Zaman Lafiya, Gen. Minimah attributed the sustained successes being recorded in the ongoing battle to flush out Boko Haram terrorists from Nigerian territories, to the continued induction of new equipment into the Nigerian Army inventory and intensified training of the officers and soldiers both within and outside Nigeria.

“We also took steps to improve on the welfare services of our personnel particularly those in operational theatre. These measures have added impetus to our operational posture and contributed immensely to our current exploits in the ongoing military operations against Boko Haram terrorists in the North Eastern states especially Adamawa, Borno, Yobe, Bauchi and Gombe states.

“The Nigerian army with the support of sister services, the Nigeria Police force, security agencies, local vigilante groups and regional partners have continued to record strings of successes against the terrorists group who had laid siege to a number of cities, towns and villages in some of these states”.

“These achievements would not have been possible without the sacrifice, commitment and devotion of our gallant troops some of whom paid the supreme sacrifice in the process. I salute these brave men and women and the Nigerian army remains proud of the service to our fatherland. Their efforts and sacrifice shall not be in vain”.