PRESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari has made a surprised visit to Maiduguri, Borno State, to felicitate with troops of Operation Lafiya Dole, on the nation’s 57th Independence Anniversary.

The president’s visit came a day after the Chief of Defence Staff, General Gabriel Olonisakin, led service Chiefs to the state to celebrate Nigeria’s Independence Day with troops at the frontline of fight against Boko Haram terrorists in the North East. The service chiefs that went with the Defence Chief yesterday, were the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Tukur Buratai, Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ikoku Ette-Ibas and the Director General of the Department of State Services, Alhaji Mamman Daura.

The CDS and the other security chiefs are in Maiduguri largely to celebrate the 57th Independence Anniversary of Nigeria with the frontline personnel who are fighting terrorism in the Northeast. This is expected to serve as a morale booster to the frontline personnel and to let them know that the nation appreciates their sacrifices. The CDS and the security chiefs would use the occasion to interact with relevant field commanders involved in the counterterrorism operations. We ‘ve restored Nigeria’s sanity, territorial integrity, says Buhari January 15, 2017

The Vanguard