excerpt from a scholastic article The GOC, 3rd Division, Brigadier Buhari, mobilized the 21st Armoured Brigade and unilaterally closed the border, cutting off food and fuel supplies to Chad. Although he felt this was a sound operational move, the action prompted political reprimand from Lagos. But Buhari defied all orders to reopen the border, including that of the President. Buhari rationalized his actions thus: My first loyalty is to my troops. I cannot endanger their lives by sending them on a difficult battle to defend their fatherland and then turn round to feed the enemy and supply them with fuel for their tanks. Eventually the 21st Armoured Brigade prevailed and all captured Nigerian islands were regained, making Buhari an instant hero in the military. However, in pursuing the Chadian intruders, Buharis units penetrated 50 kilometers into Chadian territory, once again against strict orders not to cross the border. Unlike Americas General Douglas McArthur who kept opposing President Trumans Korea policy, Buhari was neither cashiered nor redeployed for repeatedly disobeying higher political direction.
Posted on: Mon, 01 Dec 2014 10:01:05 +0000
Trending Topics
© 2015