Terrorism: Army promotes soldiers who captured Habib Bama

From left: Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen Azubike Ihejirika; Gov Patrick Yakowa of Kaduna State and the Chief of Policy Plan, Maj-Gen Olakunle Akinyemi during a visit to the Governor in Kaduna on Sunday (1/7/12).NAN Photo

The Nigeria Army has declared, Sunday, that its officers who captured Habibu Bama, the Boko Haram Kingpin who masterminded the suicide bombings of Police headquarters, Mogadishu Cantonment Mammy Market, Madalla Christmas Church (St. Theresa) bombing among others, would be given automatic promotions to the next rank.

Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Onyeabor Azubuike Ihejirika who made the disclosure in Kaduna at a church service to mark the 14th anniversary celebration of the Nigeria Army, also declared that the three Army officers, two Lt. Colonels and a Major who lost their lives in the ill-fated Dana Air Crash in Lagos, would be given a 3-bedroom bungalow for sacrificing their lives in the line of duty.

General Ihejirika also had a word for Politicians, vowing that soldiers would never dabble into the political affairs of the country henceforth declaring that democracy has come to stay in Nigeria forever.

His words, “Part of the transformation process going on in the Nigerian Army encourages officers and soldiers to be innovative and proactive especially as it concerns the war on terrorism.

For instance we have said that Soldiers should take initiatives and be proactive in their duty post. An example of this is when the soldiers who saw Habib Bama, acted swiftly using the initiatives. On seeing him, they became alert, moved swiftly and rounded him up even though he resisted.

They did not wait to get instruction from higher authority which would have led to the Boko Haram mastermind escaping.

It would be recalled that Habib Bama later died of gunshot injuries he sustained during the exchange of gunfire by his men with soldiers to prevent his being arrested.

On democracy, the COAS said, “Democracy has come to stay in our country and we have vowed that at no time should a soldier or army personnel dabble into politics. So he who must do the bidding of the army must not allow himself to be deceived or dabble into politics”.

Emphasizing on the welfare of officers and men which he said is a fundamental aspect of his administration, Ihejirika said, “ For families of our officers who died in the ill-fated Dana aircraft, because they were the breadwinners and were on official call, the Army will build for each of this families, 3 bedroom flat to ameliorate the hardship they have suddenly been thrown into”.

In his Sermon, Rev. Colonel Charles Iroagbu, Director of Army Chaplaincy urged officers of the Nigeria Army to always remain humble in the face of daunting security challenges and to remember that they are there to protect all Nigerians.