The outgoing Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Buratai has expressed his appreciation to President Muhammadu Buhari for the privilege and honour to serve as the Chief of Army Staff.
He expressed his appreciation at the official handing over ceremony at the Army Headquarters, Abuja.
After spending what has been described as eventful 66 months in office as the Nation’s Chief of Army Staff, it was time for the people’s General to bow out as he handed over the baton to the newly appointed Army boss Major General Ibrahim Attahiru.
General Buratai used the occasion to thank the officers and men of the Nigerian Army for the loyalty, discipline and commitment they demonstrated during his tenure as COAS while commending the troops in all the formations and theatres of operations for their patriotism, professionalism and dexterity in the fight against insurgents, banditry, kidnapping and other associated crimes in the country.
“I appreciate all the troops serving in various operations both at home and abroad very importantly OPERATION LAFIYA DOLE, OPERATION DELTA SAFE , EXERCISE SAHEL SANITY, OPERATION SAFE HAVEN and so many other operations, your sacrifices will never go in vain. It was a long journey a service for over forty years calls for immense gratitude to Almighty God”
“I remain eternally grateful to President Muhammadu Buhari for the great opportunity, it is a dream and aspiration of every combatant officer to lead his army today’s handing over ceremony and my retirement from the service is historic in that I believe the army will never be the same again,” said Buratai.
General Buratai was appointed by President Muhammadu Buhari in July 2015 as the Chief of Army Staff and has spent 40 years in service as a soldier and 66 months in office as COAS.
In his welcome address, Chief of Policy and Plans Army, Lieutenant General Lamidi Adeosun described General Buratai’s tenure as highly successful and rewarding in terms of infrastructural development, the welfare of personnel and soldiers, selfless service among others.
The new Army Chief, Major General Atahiru in his remarks said he will continue to count on General Buratai’s support and advice as he pilots the affairs of the Nigeria Army.
It would be recalled that Gen. Ibrahim Attahiru was appointed as Chief of Army Staff 26th of January 2021 alongside other Service Chiefs.
He also met with the New Service Chiefs at the presidential villa charging them to be patriotic in the discharge of their duties and be dedicated to ending insecurity in the country.
Before his appointment as COAS, Gen. Attahiru held several positions in NA which include General Officer Commanding 82 Division, Nigerian Army Enugu, Theatre Commander, Operation Lafiya Dole, Deputy Chief of Policy and Plans at the Army Headquarters.
Nnenna.O
