Following the ferocious attacks on Nigeria’s military bases by the Boko Haram insurgents, the federal government has ordered immediate procurement of critical equipment for the armed forces.
The minister of defence, Gen. Mansur Muhammad Dan-Ali, who disclosed this yesterday during a meeting with the service chiefs at the headquarters of the ministry of defence in Abuja said such items would be purchased from the original manufacturers on government-to- government basis.
He also said the presidency had directed the enhancement of the welfare of troops, particularly those serving in operational areas within the country.
Dan-Ali who ordered the chief of army staff (COAS) Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai, to relocate to the North East pending improvement of security situation in the zone also directed the GOC 8th Division of the Nigerian Army to relocate his tactical headquarters from Sokoto to Gusau, Zamfara State to oversee the conduct of Operation Sharan Dahi.
The minister mandated the chief of defence staff and Buratai to effect changes in the operational commands of Operations Delta Safe in the Niger Delta, Lafiya Dole in the North East, Sharan Dahi in Zamfara and Katsina states and Awatse in the South West.
He said the changes were to enable them meet up with the current threats and security challenges in their areas of responsibility.
