The Nigerian Army has explained that the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Buratai is in Katsina State, on Operational tour of formations and units under 8 Division to assess their operational readiness.
The COAS will also witness the conduct of the Army Day celebration for the year 2020 which runs from July 1 to 6.
The celebration which was originally planned to hold in Jo’s, the Plateau State capital , was rescheduled to Katsina to boost ongoing Military Operations against banditry in the State and other parts of the North West. Already a military exercise nicknamed exercise SAHEL SANITY has been announced by the army and is reportedly yielding results.
This may not be unconnected to President Muhammadu Buhari’s directive to the Military to stamp out bandits in the State and the North west in general.
The clarification was coming on the heels of reports that the Army Chief will relocate to Katsina and remain until the banditry is ended.
The Acting Director Army Public Relations, Colonel Sagir Musa, said the COAS’s visit will no doubt boost the military operation and morale of troops fighting banditry and other forms of criminality in the state and the north west.
He said that the Chief of Army Staff was quoted out of context as the purpose of his visit was clear.