Welfare of Troops, Our Priority- Commander Operation Lafiya Dole

The newly appointed Theater Commander of Operation Lafiya Dole, Major General Hassan Umaru has assured Nigerian troops that their welfare is a major priority towards ensuring their commitment to the war on terror.

General Umaru who stated this at his maiden press briefing with journalists in Maiduguri, said the soldiers have made Nigeria proud and the Nigerian Army will continue to provide for their need in terms of logistics, salaries and allowances.

Concerned over the Treasury Single Account (TSA) which has affected regular payments of allowances of officers and men of the Nigerian Army, General Umaru assured that some mechanisms have been put in place to address the problem. 

He said: "A number of troops have not accessed their salaries and allowances due to the new policy on monthly posting to individual accounts, BVN and differences in names of accounts. It is an issue that is being addressed."

While commending the traditional institutions and the media for their role in sensitizing the public on security consciousness and being their brothers’ keepers, he said everyone must be involved in ensuring the success of the counter-terrorism campaign.

Also speaking, the newly appointed General Officer commanding, (GOC) 7 Division, Brigadier General Victor Ezugwu urged journalists to consider national interest first in their reportage, as the media are stakeholders and partners in progress in the war against the terrorists.

He also appealed to the media to always confirm their reports from the military authorities before going to the press to avoid conflicting reports that could undermine national security.

In his contributions too, the Deputy Theater Commander, Major General Irabor said the military is determined to completely wipe out the insurgents and urged for the continuous support of the media.