The federal government has named the Nigerian Army Firing Range in Sambisa Forest after late Lt Col Habu Ali who died last year at Mallam Fatori , in Abadam local government of Borno State during Boko Haram attack.
President Muhammadu Buhari who also paid tribute to the gallant men and women who have paid the supreme price in the fight against insurgency and criminal elements across the country said this yesterday shortly after declaring open the 2017 Nigerian Army Small Arms Championship ( NASAC ) at Sambisa Forest in Borno State.
The commander in chief of the Nigerian Armed forces who was represented by the Minister of Defence , Brig Gen Munsur Dan Ali ( rtd) said the championship is a showcase of the clear defeat and degradation of the Boko Haram terrorist group with the destruction of camp zero in the Sambisa Forest.
“I can categorically say that never again will Boko Haram terrorists occupy any of the Nigerian lands. It is gratifying to note that this championship will not only sharpen the marksmanship skills of the Nigerian Army personnel but will also instill the desired confidence and determination to achieve excellence.
“The championship will also mark the commencement of our plan to move speedily to make Sambisa and the entire Northeast safe again for law abiding citizens. It is instructive to note that government through its Presidential Committee for the Northeast Initiative is prepared towards rebuilding the damaged facilities and infrastructures in the region,” he said.
In his remarks , the Chief of Army Staff , Lt Gen Tukur Yusuf Buratai said the 2017 NASAC is conducted in Sambisa Forest to consolidate on the gains achieved so far in the Northeast.
He said : “ Our gallant troops have operated selflessly to achieve this great feat which the entire nation celebrates today. The climax of these efforts was operation ‘Rescue Finale’ which led to the fall of Sambisa Forest and capture of camp zero. This championship is therefore held here at the heart of Sambisa Forest as part of Nigerian Army plan to effectively dominate all hostile territories In the Northeast.”
In his speech, the Borno State governor , Kashim Shettima described the championship at Sambisa Forest as funeral ceremony of Sambisa Forest and Boko Haram terrorists , adding that based on President Muhammadu Buhari’s pronouncement , the Sambisa Forest became dead at about 1: 35 pm on Thursday , the 22nd of December , 2016.
“I, Kashim Shettima is proud to have witnessed this ‘funeral’ and I congratulate all of us for being witnesses to triumph of good over evil.”
“ Borno State government will respectfully request for partnership with the Federal Ministry of Defence and the Federal Ministry of Information and Culture towards working together to construct Sambisa Fall and International Research Centre for the purpose of documenting all de- classified information to preserve valuable materials recovered by military in relation to the fight against Boko Haram Insurgency and to document history of the crisis from the days of Taliban to Boko Haram “ , he said.