From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye,  Abuja

President Muhammadu Buhari was on Friday night handed the Boko Haram terrorist flag recovered from Sambisa Forest by the Nigerian Army.
This was done at the 2016 Regimental Dinner organised by the Presidential Brigades of Guards, an annual event organised to mark the end of drilling year of the commission which is also an opportunity for officers of the commission to wine and dine with their commanders.
The flag was handed over to President Buhari at exactly 10.30pm by the Theatre Commander, Operation Lafiya Dole, Maj. -Gen. Lucky Irabor.
Men of the Operation Lafiya Dole operating in the North East had two weeks ago successfully took over “Camp Zero,” the strongest enclave of Boko Haram terrorists sect, in the Sambisa Forest.
Irabor, had disclosed that about 1,240 suspected Boko Haram terrorists were arrested during a mop-up operation by troops inside the Sambisa Forest.
The President who took the audience down memory-lane disclosed how he was nearly shot even before he collected his first salary after he joined the army.
Buhari said he was conversant with the problems of the military having experienced it firsthand.
“I believe you are here because you want to be here and you cannot complain. We will do our best to build the national institutions in the country.
“There are 250 ethnic groups, so keeping Nigeria one is a task that must be done. So even if for personal reasons you must make sure this country stays one and remain strong”.
President Buhari told the audience that he enjoyed the   25 years he spent in the Army.
He reiterated why he has resisted the devaluation of the naira, increase of the petroleum products among others.
He recalled that he rejected similar advice by the IMF, World Bank to devalue the naira as a military head of state, adding that  “I refused and gave my reasons and the next thing I knew I was removed and detained for three and half years.
“As a civilian president I will do my best and I’m telling you all these because you are part of the leadership of this great country and God willing we will remain great,” he said
Chief of Army Staff, Gen.  Tukur Buratai, in his remarks said aside providing security to the commander in chief, the brigade of guards also provide security for the FCT as well as other ceremonial activities.
He urged the men and women of the brigade to maintain the courage and discipline in 2017.
He assured that they will continue their onslaught in the north east, and will not rest in mopping up of the remnants of the insurgents who have disappeared into the society.
Buratai further assured that the security situation in parts of the country will be surmounted, adding that the Nigerian Army will remain apolitical in carrying out its duties to the nation.
The highlight of the event was the ‎ commissioning of the PMB Gymnasium at the Scorpion Mess in W.U Bassey Cantonment By President Buhari and his conducting  the army band.
Some notable persons present at the event include representative of Senate President, ‎Senate Leader, Ali Ndume, Federal Capital Territory Minister, the National Security Adviser, Chief of Defence Staff, Service Chiefs‎, the Inspector General of Police, Presidential Aides,  among others.