President Muhammadu Buhari has honoured seven officers of the Nigerian army and Nigerian Air Force for gallantry in the fight against the Boko Haram terrorist sect.
The officers were honoured with medals at the Yola International Airport on Friday, November 13. Buhari called on the officers to sustain their gallantry and take the job of liberating Nigeria from insurgency with bravery and determination. He stressed that the federal government would honour bravery at all times.
Among those who received medals from the president were two army officers, an air force officer and three soldiers who were injured while fighting against the militants. The injured soldiers were brought to the airport on wheelchairs.
“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.
The President decorated Lance Corporal Kenneth Kulugh, Private Anthony Sunday and Private Danga Umar with Purple Heart medal and the remaining four with Operation Lafiya Dole medals. President Buhari was accompanied by the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Buratai.
