The Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Buratai, has commended the Nigerian Army Engineers for their contributions to the reduction of bomb explosions in the North East.
Buratai made the commendation at the inauguration of a 41 room and parlour apartments named “General Buratai Sappers Lodge” in Bonny Cantonment in Lagos on Wednesday.
Buratai, represented by Major General Chris Jemitola, the Commander, Corps of Signal, said field reports indicated that NAE had helped to reduce the incidence of IEDs planted by Boko Haram terrorists going off in the North East theatre of operation.
He also said it was unfortunate that the recent explosions led to the death of civilians, officers and soldiers alike.
The COAS observed that in the last few months, relative peace had been recorded in the region, noting that the recent explosions were fewer and far between.
Buratai said: “It is unfortunate that they happened and we are addressing them; nonetheless, army engineers have contributed in various aspects.
“They have helped the Nigerian Army to live, move and fight; they are also helping the civilian populace in various dimensions.”
The inauguration took place simultaneously with the handing and taking over by the Commander, Corps of Engineers.
The outgoing commander, Major General Chris Obi, said he was motivated to embark on the construction of the apartment because of the daunting challenges of accommodation for officers of the corps.
Obi noted that the security challenges in the country had resulted in the increasing demand for NAE personnel particularly in the area of IED management.
Obi said: “Officers of the NAE have done extremely well in tackling the insurgents.
“There is, therefore, need to train our personnel on the use and handling of modern IED and Explosive Ordinance Devices equipment.
“Luckily, the COAS recently procured some of such equipment such as the BOZENA 5, the AMTRAC 400 series and some handheld IED detecting gadgets.”
Obi, who took over as NAE corps commander on August 21, 2015, noted with enthusiasm that the apartment would motivate officers of the corps.
The signing of the handing and taking over notes was the climax of the event at the cantonment which was witnessed by officers of the corps.
The incoming commander, Major General Olusegun Adeleke, said he would key into the successes of his predecessor to move the corps to the next level.
Before his appointment as commander, NAE, Adeleke was the Chief of Army Standards and Evaluation, Army Headquarters, Abuja.
