THE Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Azubuike Ihejirika Wednesday, vowed that the military will soon bring the Boko Haram menace to a conclusive end in Nigeria, just as another batch of 800 soldiers on peace keeping mission were deployed to Darfur.
General Ihejirika explained that the military has resolved to put an end to the insurgency that pervaded some parts of the north for so long, at the graduation of the basic counter terrorism course for soldiers in Jaji, near Kaduna Wednesday.
Besides, the assurance of the Chief OF Army Staff was also on the heels of the admonition by the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 1 Division Nigerian Army, Major General Garba Wahab warning to the troops on their way to Darfur to stay away from ugly incidents that could dent the image of the Nigeria.
The GOC who spoke during the 21 Battalion pre deployment graduation at the Nigerian Army Peacekeeping Centre in Jaji, said the Nigerian Army will not accept any situation where its troops are disarmed.
According to him, "you must fight to discharge your duties in consonance with the mission mandate when the need arises, especially when there is no alternative if you are to protect yourselves, your colleagues, civilians and property in the course of executing your tasks".
"You must remember that the Rules of Engagement issued and taught to you are not to restrict you, but to offer guidance in the use and application of force.
"You must not involve yourselves in the trafficking of illicit substances of any kind, such as alcohol and drugs as these are very offensive to the cultural values of the Darfur people and negates UN ethics. I must also remind you of the UN zero tolerance policy on sexual exploitation and abuse.
Earlier in his welcome address, Commandant Nigerian Army Peacekeeping Centre (NAPKC), Major General Salihu Uba said the centre has within the period of its existence expanded in both manpower and facilities to ensure troops receive the needed robust and theatre-specific pre-deployment training.
Major General Uba who represented the Army Chief at the counter terrorism graduation, argued that it was the responsibility of the armed forces to bring the menace of the Boko Haram to a conclusive end.
He also added that the Nigerian Army in particular cannot afford to fail in its resolve to bring the menace to its kneels.
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