Buratai Honoured by EBSU as Army Protects Gelegele Infrastructure

Buratai Honoured by EBSU as Army Protects Gelegele Infrastructure

General Honoured by Ebonyi State University
The Ebonyi State University (EBSU) has named its newly established Institute for Peace and Strategic Studies after the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Tukur Yusufu Buratai, for his selfless service to the nation and humanity in general.

The Vice Chancellor of the institution and former Deputy Governor of Ebonyi State, His Excellency, Professor Chigozie Egbu stated this today when he led a team from the university on a courtesy visit to the COAS at the Army Headquarters, Abuja.

He commended the COAS and the NA on the achievements the army has recorded under his leadership in the areas of promotion and maintenance of peace in Nigeria, particularly during the 2019 general elections.

According to him “Ebonyi State university is ready to collaborate with the Army on the trust that a well-educated Army is essential for effective military duties in the 21st Century. We are also delighted that you are interested in the establishment of an Institute for Peace and Strategic Studies at EBSU to offer members of the Armed Forces, Police and paramilitary agencies the opportunity to get higher and relevant education”.

He disclosed that the governor of Ebonyi State, Engineer David Eweze Umahi, and the State Executive Council had approved that the Institute be named “LT Gen Tukur Yusufu Buratai Institute for Peace and Strategic Studies”.

In his remarks, Lieutenant General Tukur Yusufu Buratai, thanked the leadership of the university, Government and people of Ebonyi State for the honour. He dedicated the honour to officers and soldiers of the Nigerian Army for their commitment, sacrifices and resolve to bring an end to the myriad of security challenges facing Nigeria.

He expressed willingness to support the university/Institute to provide quality education and to serve as a centre for academic research on contemporary security challenges, signifying that the Army will sponsor qualified officers and soldiers interested to enroll in its programmes. He further solicits for collaboration between the university and the Nigerian Army Resource Centre which is equally an emerging research centre of repute.

It would be recalled that on the 15th of April 2019, the Igbinedion University Okada had honored the Nigerian Army by naming its Centre for Contemporary Security Affairs after Lt Gen Tukur Yusufu Buratai.

Some Principal Staff Officers of the Army Headquarters attended the occasion.

SAGIR MUSA
Colonel
Acting Director Army Public Relations
………………………..

Army in Gelegele to Protect Critical Infrastructure
The attention of the Nigerian Army has been drawn to a malicious story making round in an online publication insinuating/alleging that military build up around Gelegele Community in Ovia North East Local Government Area of Edo State was intended to ignite crisis.

While the Nigerian Army represented by 4 Brigade in the area is not willing to join issues with the author. It is however essential to state that as professional Army, it would not be involved in any form of land dispute or conflict with law abiding members of GeleGele Community or any other community in Nigeria.

For clarity, the troops deployed to GeleGele Community have been there since 2011 for the protection of critical infrastructure and to effectively checkmate militancy in the area.

Furthermore, the troops in the area are not under the operational command and control of 4 Brigade as claimed, but are under the command of Operation DELTA SAFE.Consequently, the allegation that the Brigade Commander is involved in the deployment of troops or invasion of Gelegele locality is false and should be disregarded by the public and members of the community.

The Nigerian Army under the leadership of Lt Gen TY Buratai will not condone harassment of law abiding individuals or groups, talk less of grabbing land belonging to any community anywhere in Nigeria.

The Brigade is however mandated to remain firm, fair and not to be detered from decisively fighting criminal elements in the State.

The Brigade will also continue to live peacefully with all law abiding communities in its Area of Responsibility.

Members of the public are hereby enjoined to continue to cooperate with security agencies by giving credible information on criminal elements and activities in their midst for necessary action.

SAGIR MUSA
Colonel
Acting Director Army Public Relations
19 April, 2019