Jonathan in surprise visit to soldiers in Maiduguri

President Goodluck Jonathan on Thursday undertook a surprise visit to Maiduguri on the occasion of Nigeria’s Armed Forces Remembrance Day to meet with officers and men currently in the frontline of the war against terrorism and insurgency in the country.
The President was accompanied by the Chief of Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal Alex Badeh, and other service chiefs.
Others on the President’s entourage were the National Security Adviser (NSA) and the Director-General of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA).
The president visited officers and men of the 7 Division of the Nigerian Army at Maimalari Cantonment in Maiduguri
to thank them for their patriotic and courageous service to the nation.
He told officers and soldiers of the Division that the nation was very proud of them and grateful for their dedication and commitment to the defence of the civilian population against terrorists’ and violent extremists.
He also assured the troops that the Federal Government would continue to do everything possible to ensure that they got weapons, equipment, welfare and logistic support they required to completely rout the insurgents and restore full security and normalcy to affected parts of the country.
Describing the troops as special breed of men who were undertaking a great assignment for their fatherland, the President also assured them that all necessary action were being taken to address challenges facing them in their operations against Boko Haram militants.
He said: “In terms of equipment and logistics, we have already made considerable progress since the insurgency started and we will continue to improve in that regard until your operations are successfully concluded.’’
The President toured wards of the 7 Division Hospital and Medical Services Centre, where he met with soldiers recovering from injuries sustained in operations against Boko Haram.
Jonathan wished the injured soldiers speedy recovery.
Before leaving the Borno capital, the President had visited over 900 displaced persons from Baga at a camp in the city.