Chief of Army Staff, Maj. Gen. Tukur Buratai
The
Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai, has warned officers of the
Nigerian Army not to mingle with politicians or play politics under any
pretext.
Buratai also said any officer who flouted the order would be severely dealt with.
The COAS, who spoke on Saturday during a
visit to the 9 Brigade Nigerian Army Cantonment, Ikeja, where over 500
soldiers were on parade, said indiscipline of any nature among the
soldiers would not be tolerated.
He said, “I want you to remain
apolitical. Any soldier seen fraternising with politicians or engaging
in politics will be dealt with. We must be responsive in the discharge
of our duties and be our brother’s keeper. There must be esprit de
corps.
“We
must collaborate with other security agencies such as the police,
security and civil defence corps and so on. You must have a good
relation with the civil populace. Respect their fundamental human
rights. You must not molest any civilian but uphold our constitutional
roles at all times.”
Buratai further said his visit was meant to interact with the officers in the units and formations as expected of a new COAS.
The COAS further said, “It expected that
a new chief of army staff should go round the units and formations to
talk to the officers, listen to them and identify with their needs.
“Due to the operations in the
North-East, I devote most of my time to the region. I then decided that I
have to see you because as military professionals, we have to combine
all the operations and perform well.
“Your colleagues in the North-East and
Niger Delta are doing well. I know you are doing well here too. Some of
you once operated in the North-East and Niger Delta. There are
challenges of oil banditry and we will tackle it. We must always compose
ourselves professionally and responsibly.”
The army chief, who disclosed that the
Nigerian Army had ordered the purchase of some uniforms, noted that the
era of mixed uniforms among soldiers across units and formations was
over.
According to him, the issue of welfare, logistics and accommodation of officers will be taken care of.
In a related development, the Nigerian Navy, on Saturday, warned its personnel against abusing the rights of civilians.
The Flag Officer Commanding, Eastern
Naval Command, Rear Admiral Atiku Abdulkadir, said the warning became
necessary to maintain and sustain civil-military relationship.
He issued the warning in Calabar, Cross River State, while addressing ratings and officers of the command.
Abdulkadir said the Navy would not tolerate any of its personnel found abusing the rights of the civilian populace.
He said, “We are uniform men and women,
it is expected that we don’t abuse the rights of civilians whom we have
sworn to protect. We must also be sound and resolute in the performance
of our duties, but we must respect the rights of the civilian populace.
“There is a lot of wrong perception
about the military by members of the public, we must conduct ourselves
properly and observe basic rules.”
According to Abdulkadir, it is important
for personnel of the navy to follow the basic rules and do what is
right in other to maintain the existing civil military relationship.
He said, “If you follow the basic rules
and do the correct thing, the interpretation will be that we are living
up to expectations. These are the ways we must conduct ourselves so that
we can positively contribute to the security in the water ways and the
well-being of the nation.
“If you cross the boundary from doing
what you are suppose to do and start conducting illegal activities,
other members of the security agencies can either pick you up or report
you.”
The naval chief further said what the naval headquarters expects from the command is zero tolerance to illegality.
The FOC said the illegalities were primarily but not limited to crude oil theft, and illegal oil bunkery.
Abdulkadir added, “We have from time to
time recorded incidences of pipeline vandalism and sea robbery in our
maritime environment. We have that big challenge that we must bring it
to nearly zero occurrence and we have time limit.
“We must have 24 hours presence at sea, in the water ways, and within our area of operation.”
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