Politics
Buhari backs out from Monday’s visit to Sambisa Forest
President Muhammadu Buhari and Commander-In-Chief of the Armed Forces, Federal Republic of Nigeria will no longer be at this year’s Nigerian Army Small Arms Championship holding in the Sambisa forest on Monday March 27.
Earlier, the Chief of Training and Operations, Army, Major General David Amadu, had during a press briefing on Friday in Maiduguri to kick-start the NASAC 2017 championship, said the championship would be formally declared open by the President on Monday, March 27, 2017.
According to him, President Buhari will be accompanied by the Minister of Defense, Alhaji Mannir Ali and Service Chiefs, Chief of Defense Staff, General Gabriel Olanisakin, Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai, Chief of Air Staff, Air Vice Marshal Abubakar Sadique and Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Obet Ebas.
However, the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen.Tukur Buratai on Saturday said President Buhari would only be represented at the opening of the event by the Minister of Defense, Alhaji Dan-Ali.
The army boss stated this when he addressed newsmen in Maiduguri on the final arrangements for the event.
He said, “We have been in the North East, fighting the Boko Haram terrorists, and you know the significance of the Sambisa forest to them. It used to be one of their centres; in fact, we suspect that their command and control centre was located there before its eventual capture.’’
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Buratai hinted that the reason for holding the event at Sambisa forest was for the Nigerian Army to consolidate its operations in the place and ensure it is secured.
“We also want the place to be dominated by our troops and also to get firm control, so that we will continue to dominate the area.
“The Nigerian Army Small Arms Championship is part of the training activities scheduled for 2017. It is a championship among the formations of the Nigerian Army. The objective of the event is to sharpen the marksmanship skills of the army personnel,” he explained.
Sambisa forest was the headquarters of Boko Haram until they were eventually flushed out of the place by the military in December last year.
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Agbor Chris
March 26, 2017 at 8:08 am
We have heard and it’s a good thing to know a tournament would kick off in Sambisa soon, but why is Buhari not going to be available to open the championship? Buratai should tell us
Anita Kingsley
March 26, 2017 at 8:12 am
I wonder too. Buhari is the Commander-In-Chief of the Armed Forces and his men will be having a championship in Sambisa that was once ‘lion’s den’ before the army restored peace there. Mr. President should have a rethink and honour them, it won’t take more than five minutes of his time
Roland Uchendu Pele
March 26, 2017 at 9:35 am
The fear of Boko Haram even in 2021 is the beginning of Presidential wisdom. Buhari spot on!
yanju omotodun
March 26, 2017 at 10:46 am
Ordinarily, sambisa forest should be turned into Nigerian military headquarters sincerely and barracks should be erected there for soldiers and family to stay. With this, the place will be fully secured and developed as well.
The chief of defense staff and minister of defense and other chiefs should have their offices there and not in Abuja.
seyi jelili
March 26, 2017 at 11:02 am
To me, Aso rock should be reposition to sambisa forest because where a president resides, full security is guaranteed. So I support your suggestions coupled with mine.
Balarabe musa
March 26, 2017 at 11:35 am
So are you implying president should be residing in the forest? Your head must be touching somewhere. State capital is located at the centre of the country and so it is all over the world.