The Chief of Staff (CDS), General Christopher Gwabin Musa visited Maiduguri to commensurate with the Governor, His Excellency, Professor Babagana Zulum and the Shehu of Borno, Alhaji Abubakar Umar Garba over the recent flooding that ravages the state.
The Defence Chief, who was accompanied to Maiduguri by the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt Gen Taoreed Lagbaja, Chief of Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Hassan Abubakar representative of Chief of the Naval Naval Staff, and Chief of Defence Intelligence thanked the troops for their prompt response and rescue operations during the flooding
Speaking at the Government House, Maiduguri, the CDS sympathized with the government and people of Borno state over the unfortunate flooding.
According to him, the flooding was unpredictable and, therefore, very difficult to mitigate. He prayed such an incident would never occur again. General Musa assured the governor that members of the Armed Forces will continue to support him to ensure he addresses all issues that might arise as a result of the flooding.
In his response, the Governor expressed his sincere appreciation to the military under the leadership of General Christopher Musa also for personally coming to Borno along with the service Chiefs to sympathize with the state over the severe flooding that consumed the state.
He further commended the military for their rescue efforts to the victims. “Without the support of the Military, by now we would have lost more lives” he emphasised.
According to him, he asked the President when he visited to convey Borno State’s deepest gratitude to the military for all they have done during this critical period.
Governor Zulum used the opportunity to maintain that insecurity in the state has improved by over 90 Percent. Peaceful he said is gradually returning to Borno.
At the Shehu of Borno Palace, General Musa said, “we are here to offer our prayers to the soul of the departed while commensurating with those who lost means of their livelihood.”
He further thanked the Shehu for his fatherly prayers as he assured the monarch that Borno was his home.
Responding, the Shehu of Borno thanked the CDS and his entourage for doing so much for Maiduguri. According to him, the theater Commander and his team were unrelenting in assisting the victims of the flooding.
He added that more needs to be done to assist the state government in getting out of the aftermath of the flood. He also charged the troops not to be distracted in performing their primary duties.
While addressing the troops, the CDS also conveyed special greetings from the President as he commended their bravery. General Musa further appealed to the troops to be more focused and committed to diminishing the capabilities of criminals while pledging to provide all necessary equipment to execute their tasks.
He finally promised to look at the welfare needs of the troops to meet up with changing demands.