Boko Haram Attack: CNS Consoles Fallen Heroes, Visits Wounded Troops,  Baga Naval Base, Boosts Troops Morale

By; SÀDIQ ABUBAKAR,  Maiduguri

The Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla,  arrived Maiduguri, Borno State  Saturday morning around 11am for  operational  visit to Naval formations located in the state.

The Naval Staff Chief   however, visited Baga Naval.Base and consoled the soldiers and officers over the recent Boko Haram terrorists attacks on the Naval Base, killing scores of soldiers, while others were injured and rushed to Maimalari  Cantonment Hospital Maiduguri, where he visited the wounded troops responding to treatment at the hospital and medical center.

Vice Admiral Ogalla was also at the Government House Maiduguri around 3.30pm, where he held a  closed door meeting with Governor Babagana Umara Zulum as part of activities of his state wide visit and mission  among other issues concerning serial attacks at the Lake Chad Basin, where the terrorists are hidden off shore, attacking villagers and farmers as well as fishermen.

Briefing journalists at the Maimamalari Cantonment Hospital after going round the wounded troops  on bed in the hospital, the Naval Chief promised to address all their problems if any,  as well as the lingering security challenges at the borders of the state with Chad, Cameroon and Niger Republic, while assuring that, the troops would be provided with sophisticated  weapons and equipment soon to clear the entire  Lake Chad Basin  of terrorists.

He further pledged to provide more security in the Lake Chad region and  ensure availability of adequate farmlands for the residents of the area to farm and fish by way of carrying out their   businesses peacefully and successfully.

Vice Admiral Ogalla also assured the wounded troops that their welfare and treatment  in the hospital have been taken care of and their allowances would be released to them accordingly.

He prayed for the repose  of the souls of the fallen heroes, who  paid the supreme price to their fatherland while in active service  and quick recovery to those receiving treatment, while  promising to re-equip and boost security in the  Lake Chad Basin region before inspecting  a new Naval Formation under construction along Monguno road Maiduguri.

While commending the troops and officers for their steadfastness, resilience, bravery and gallantry, he said the  Nigerian Navy will continue to cater for them and provide them with all the necessary equipment and weapons to  restore peace in the Lake Chad Basin region.

During his one day state working visit,  the Naval Chief was accompanied by the Theater Commander, Operation Hadin Kai, Theater Command Headquarters, Major General Abdullahi Abubakar and other top and Senior military officers from the Naval Headquarters Abuja and Maiduguri Theater Command Headquarters.