MAIDUGURI — The Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Kenneth Minimah, said yesterday, that military checkpoints and road blocks will remain in highly vulnerable regions in the country. Minimah who spoke at the inter-denominational church service to mark the Nigerian Army Day celebration 2015 (NADECL) in Abuja said, contrary to general perceptions, not all military check points are being removed.

Chief of Nigerian army staff Lt.General Kenneth Minimah attend the commissioning ceremony of the “NNS Centenary”, an offshore patrol vessel built by Chinese Shipbuilding and Industry Corporation (CSIC) for Nigerian Navy, on February 19, 2015 in Lagos. Nigerian President Jonathan commissioned into the service of Nigerian Navy four patrol vessels to enhance maritime surveillance, protection of offshore resources and infrastructure. One of the vessels, a frigate was acquired from the US Coast Guard, and one of two others built by Chinese firm was donated by the Chinese government to its Nigerian counterpart. AFP

It will be recalled that President Muhammadu Buhari, two weeks ago, directed the withdrawal  of soldiers from the streets back to the barracks. The army boss, however, clarified yesterday that, “indeed, we will re-establish some check points that were removed like in the South-East and some of the South-South areas where kidnapping and ransom exist.

So the road blocks and check points will remain in certain areas.  And in the areas where they cause hardship for citizens, we are taking steps to ensure that they are presented in such a way that citizens will experience less hardship.”

Minimah also lamented, yesterday, that some soldiers did not join the army to fight but to either own property or for employment and vowed to continue to set up court-martial to check indiscipline among Nigerian troops. Minimah said the army is taking all proactive measures to restore battle confidence of the troops.

He explained that court-martial was set up to try those soldiers and officers who ran away during the operation noting that there were saboteurs who believed the war was not to be fought and also those who believed in the war sentiment and showed cowardice.

He said some of the soldiers joined the army to own property and others joined the army for employment, adding that they did not join to fight. Said he: “I must set up court-martial and if you are in my place and you did nothing you are not worth being a Chief of Army Staff. I did that, I have no regret. I am setting up more court-martial to try soldiers who ran, who showed cowardice, or abandoned troops and equipment and ran away.

“Why are you in the army? Why are you running away? Is that the army we want in Nigeria?” Minimah asked. The army chief said any soldier who cannot fight for his country should not exist, adding that the oath of allegiance of the military commands that a soldier should fight. According to him, the oath also said that if possible the “soldier should lay down his life for his fatherland and that is the oath we all took.

Asks Nigerians to be patient on fight against terror

Minimah appealed to Nigerians to be patient, assuring that the fight on terrorism would soon be over. However, he said that more time was needed and with the support of the citizenry the fight will be over. He said the choice of Maiduguri for the celebration is for the army to identify with the government and people of Borno, Yobe and Adamawa States, and the entire North Eastern region that the army share their pains. He also said the celebration in Maiduguri would boost the morale of troops operating there.

On removal of military  check points

On removal of military check points, Minimah explained that not all military check points and road blocks were being removed, contrary to the perception of people. He said: “Indeed, we will re-establish some that were erstwhile removed like in the South-East and some of the South-South areas where kidnapping and ransom exist. So the road blocks and check points will remain in certain areas.

“And in the areas where they cause hardship for citizens we are taking steps to ensure that they are presented in such a way that citizens experience less hardship,” said the army chief. On his part, Rev. Father Charles Ireogbu, Chaplaincy Roman Catholic Army, said vision was important as this can help overcome challenges and bring success.

Taking his text from Joshua 1 verses 1 to 16, the cleric said it was when there was vision that things can be done well and success would be achieved. “We must see God as our own weapon of victory, there are weapons but without God victory is not possible,” he said. He urged all members of the armed forces to pray to God for them to overcome and come out of the fight against Boko Haram successfully.