By Ibrahim Hassan-Wuyo
Former Chief of Army Staff and former Nigerian Ambassador to the Republic of Benin, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Yusufu Buratai (retd.), has paid tribute to late President Muhammadu Buhari, describing him as a disciplined Commander-in-Chief whose political will strengthened the military’s campaign against Boko Haram insurgents.
In a statement marking the first anniversary of Buhari’s passing on Monday, Buratai said the late President’s courage, integrity and confidence in the Armed Forces contributed significantly to the successes recorded against insurgency in the North-East.
Reflecting on his appointment as Chief of Army Staff in July 2015, Buratai said Buhari gave him a clear mandate to degrade Boko Haram and restore Nigeria’s territorial integrity.
“He gave me a clear, unambiguous order: degrade Boko Haram and restore territorial integrity to the North-East. He never minced words. He provided the strategic direction and the unwavering political will that empowered the Armed Forces to reclaim our land,” he said.
