According to him, Boko Haram terrorists were on a rampage, making it a volatile, uncertain, and complex period.
Buratai who was the COAS between July 2015 and January 2021 also said there was opposition and mischief within the sociopolitical and geographical environment in the North East when he became the Army Chief.
A statement on Sunday by his Media Assistant, Ibrahim Danfulani, said Bruatai stated this while appreciating members of the 29th Regular Combatant Course of the Nigerian Defence Academy during their Annual General Meeting in Borno state.
He said, “You stood by me when I was Chief of Army Staff in a very difficult period, the time of the Boko Haram rampage and it was a period that was volatile, uncertain, complex and of course ambiguous in the environment and times as well. The environments were charged with so much opposition and mischief that is within the sociopolitical environment and within the geographical environment of the northeast also was tense with the various attacks that have been going on in this area but you stood by me and supported me and together, we succeeded.”
The former Nigerian Ambassador to the Republic of Benin also appreciated the troops for sustaining the tempo of the ongoing counter-terrorism operations.
He said, “Nine years ago, we would never have had the opportunity to gather like this here in Borno and Maiduguri in particular. Once it is 2 o’clock as someone said, everyone goes inside and remains there till the following morning, probably nine or 10.
“The restrictions were heavy, the atmosphere was charged with so much insecurity. But today, to the Glory of Almighty God, we are thankful to God for the sustained counterinsurgency operations leading to the sustainable security being achieved and being experienced today in the Northeast.”
Buratai also commended the federal government for its support in the war against insurgency.
He said, “We must appreciate the previous administration of President Muhammadu Buhari and thank President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the increased support to the Armed Forces to prosecute the counterinsurgency operations against Boko Haram and its subsequent version of ISWAP.”
President of the course, Commodore MB Teidi (retd), recalled how the journey started 40 years ago.
He said, “Let me take a moment to reflect on the journey that has brought us to this moment. The history of the NDA 29th Regular Course started on 3rd January 1981 when 155 young men reported for military training at the Nigerian Defence Academy.
“Most of us received the Presidential Commission and thereafter were posted to various services in the Nigerian Army, the Nigerian Navy and the Nigerian Air Force to pursue their Military career, while some opted out of the training to pursue their next best-destined options.”