Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Mr Yusuf Tukur Buratai, has vowed that he will not leave the theatre of Operation Lafiya Dole until he gives a final blow on the Boko Haram insurgents in the Northeast.

Buratai had earlier announced his relocation to the Northeast following the pounding of the insurgents by the Chadian Army from the Lake Chad axis where President Idris Deby is claiming to have held a section of Nigeria, waiting to hand over to Nigerian troops.

Chief of Army Staff, who had a special Easter celebration with the troops yesterday at Ngamdu Special Super Camp, regretted that the insurgency had lasted for too long, but gave assurance that in no time the Boko Haram elements would be defeated.

“We will not leave this insurgency to last like in other countries that have fought insurgency for close to 50 years. We cannot allow that to happen here,” Buratai said.

He assured the troops of the support of President Muhammadu Buhari, who he said had provided all that they needed to defeat the enemies.

Buratai promised that he will not leave the camp until he gives a final blow on the insurgents.

He said: “You may wonder that this counter- insurgency operation has lingered for too long. We all know globally that counter-terrorism is very complex. There are some countries that have fought counter-terrorism for close to 50 years. But we’re not going to leave it; we will not leave this camp.

“We are here; we will not leave this camp until we substantially degrade these criminals. By God’s willing, we shall be there with you, no going back once we commence. We will be with you in the valleys, on the hill, in the jungle, in the river and so on. As I speak now, we have some elements that are providing us necessary intelligence and once we start, no going back. We are here and we make sure that we get ourselves properly motivated, properly equipped and I assure you will have the best of time.

“Some of you have been here before like two, three times, but I tell you, you are going to have the best of time. We want the best out of you. We need your courage and determination.

“I want you to have at the back of your mind that Mr President is solidly behind you. We have already started getting the consignment of what we require for us to handle these insurgency and terrorism. It a matter of time and a very short time.

“If I ask you a question, will you answer me? The question is, is any body ready to chicken out?”

A thunderous NO erupted from the soldiers and the COAS continued: “We will make sure that we never go back. Forward ever, backward, never. Thank you and God bless you all”.

Highlight of the occasion was the COAS serving food to troops as soldiers dance and celebrate Easter.

The Nation