President Muhammadu Buhari Friday in Yola, honoured three soldiers who sustained serious injuries in ongoing operations against Boko Haram with the Purple Heart medal for gallantry, during a morale-boosting visit to the Nigerian military in Adamawa State.

At the conferment ceremony, President Buhari said that the honour to the three wounded soldiers was in appreciation of their heroic contributions to the ongoing effort by the Nigerian Armed Forces to end the Boko Haram insurgency.

“These very deserved medals are in recognition of your sacrifices. I hope it will inspire you to give more to the nation and I urge you to maintain your determination to bring peace to our fatherland.

“With what I have seen today, I believe that the Boko Haram are very close to defeat and I urge you to quickly clear the remnants of these criminals from wherever they may still be hiding.

“I also urge you to remain vigilant, alert and focused to prevent Boko Haram from sneaking into our communities to attack soft targets,’’ the President said.

Those decorated with the Purple Heart medal are Lance Corporal Kenneth Kulugh who was wounded in a battle with Boko Haram at Magar Bridge, near Madagali.

Others are Private Anthony Sunday was wounded in a battle with Boko Haram at Gubla in Adamawa State and Private Danga Umar who sustained multiple gunshot injuries to both thighs at Magar Bridge, near Madagali.

Accompanied by the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen Tukur Buratai, the President also presented Operation Lafiya Dole medals to other four soldiers.

The Operation Lafiya Dole medal is presented to men and officers of the Nigerian Armed Forces who have served gallantly in theatre of operations in the North east beyond six months.

Commending the armed forces for successes so far recorded in the ongoing fight against the insurgents, President Buhari urged them to remain focused on the objective of completely defeating Boko Haram before the end of the year.

The President assured them that the welfare of troops in the frontline states will continue to be improved by his administration.

President Buhari urged the army to continue to operate within its rules of engagement and with due regard for human rights and its responsibility to protect civilians in areas of conflict.

The President also visited the Internally Displaced Persons camp in Malkohio, Jimieta, Yola, where he assured the IDPs that the Federal Government was doing everything possible to ensure the safe return of all displaced Nigerians to their native communities.

President Buhari paid a courtesy visit to Lamido Adamawa, Dr Muhamamdu Barkindo Aliyu Mustapha and rounded-off his visit to Adamawa by attending the Wedding Fatiha of three daughters of Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, after attending the Jumat Prayer at the Airforce Mosque in Jibson Jalo Army Barracks, Jimeta, Yola.

He was accompanied on the trip to Adamawa State by Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, Chief Bisi Akande, Senator Ahmed Lawan and Senator Kabir Garba Marafa.

*Photo shows President Buhari and Gen. TY Burutai honouring war heroes.

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