By ABDULGAFAR ALABELEWE, Kaduna

Nigeria is safer and more secured than in 2014, Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Tukur Yusuf Buratai, has stated.

He spoke during a sit-out with Wounded Soldiers in Action (WIA) in Kaduna.

WIAs are officers and men injured during various operations against insurgency receiving treatment at the 44 Nigerian Army Reference Hospital, Kaduna.

The COAS, who expressed delight to be among the WIAs, said their efforts in securing the nation will never go unrewarded, commending their true spirit of patriotism and professionalism.

According to him, “I am very happy to see you, having met some of you in the battle fields, you were determined to pay the supreme prize. This is the true spirit of a gallant soldier and a patriot.

“I am proud you have made the impact that some of our colleagues and Nigerians are safe and I am equally happy that we are living in peace and Nigeria is safer now than we had five years ago.”

He assured the wounded soldiers of adequate medical attention, including follow-up treatment abroad.

“I understand you also need recreational facilities here. Some are also needing promotion, it has been taken note of and will be addressed accordingly.

“We will continue to send our officers to see how we can get you rehabilitated through skills acquisition programme so that when you recuperate, you can go back to the field.

“Let me assure you that the fight against insurgency is a collective effort and this can be achieved through our determination and teachings we have been taught and applying them on the field.

“Your allowances have been brought to my notice by the Chief Medical Director (CMD) of the hospital and we will see how it can be offset.

“We must develop these facilities here, those equipment we don’t have we will get, so you don’t need to get surgery elsewhere.

“This is one of the hospitals we have upgraded. We have done same in Yaba and elsewhere. We are also constructing Nigerian Army Reference Hospital in Maiduguri and also we have one in Abakiliki.” (The Nation)

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