The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt. General, Tukur Buratai, has blamed leadership failure and lack of initiatives among senior and junior military commanders as the reasons for the recent setbacks by the Nigerian Army in Metele in Borno State and other areas in the North-East. Buratai disclosed thus while speaking at the closing ceremony of the Chief of Army Staff Annual Conference, held at the Command’s Guest House in Maiduguri, yesterday. He said: “There have been clear leadership failure and lack of initiative among senior and junior commanders. This must be checked. “Operational commanders at all levels must imbibe leadership virtues in coordinating their surbordinates
The recent unfortunate incident involving our troops has given me great concern We have not done enough in providing adequate protection.” While cautioning the commanders, Buratai said: “We must remember our oath to defend the nation at all cost. In this regard, the recent activities of Boko Haram should not deter us.We must end the menace. On the 2019 general elections, the COAS urged the officers and soldiers of the Nigerian Army to remain apolitical, as the nation face 2019 general elections.
He said: “The theme was carefully selected to remind us of our constitutional role as an army operating under democracy especially as we approach general elections. The Nigerian Army is apolitical and must remain non partisan in the conduct of the elections.” The Army Chief said the conference with the theme: ‘Optimizing the operational efficiency of the Nigerian Army towards safeguarding democracy and National security in Nigeria’, was carefully crafted to shun the lures if politicians. He said: “It is incumbent on us to maintain peace in our areas of responsibilities and shun the lures of politicians and in appraising our operations, we noted the need to increase our manpower, maintain our role and get less involved in roles for the Nigerian Police.