Gusau presents medals to soldiers injured by Boko Haram

• …We have more sophisticated weapons – COAS

From Femi Oyelola, Kaduna

The Minister of Defence, Lt. Gen. Aliyu Gusau, over the weekend, decorated 3 Officers and 57 Soldiers, who were injured during the ongoing battle against the insurgent, termed operation ‘Zama Lafiya and currently receiving treatment at the 44 Army Reference Hospital Kaduna ; Presenting the medals, Gen. Gusau, who was accompanied by the Chief of defence staff Air Chief Marshal Alex Barde and all the services Chiefs said, it is part of the extension of the concern of the Nigerian Army to officers or solders injured or killed during the operation, and by extension, to let them know that the nation appreciates their sacrifice.

Speaking to the media, the Chief of Army Staff (COAS),  Lieutenant-General Kenneth Minimah, said the routine visit by the Defence Minister was aimed at presenting Purple Heart medals to the wounded but brave officers and soldiers, in recognition of their gallant efforts towards the army’s determination to fight all forms of terrorism in the country, as such, fifty seven soldiers and three officers who sustained various degrees of injuries during the operation Zaman Lafia operations in the north east, and were receiving treatment at the hospital were awarded the Purple Hearts medal by the Nigeria army.

Minimah also disclosed that there were mechanisms put in place by the Nigerian army for all those killed in action for their families and that the process is being hastened to provide immediate succor to next of kin of those killed in action.

Minimah also denied insinuations that the Boko Haram sect terrorizing the nation and particularly the north eastern region, has more sophisticated weapons than the Nigerian Army, saying the army is more sophisticated in terms of weapons and ammunition than the Boko Haram sect, adding that even the weapons and ammunitions in their possession were stolen.