Yahaya charges commanders on proactiveness, assures Nigerians of improved security
By Blessing Wika, Abuja
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt Gen Farouk Yahaya, has charged his commanders to be proactive in discharging their duties.
This is even as he noted that all deployments in the theatres of operations must be held in strength to defeat any attack.
The Army Chief equally assured Nigerians that there would be signs of improved security across the nation.
He spoke on Friday in Abuja at the closing of the COAS annual conference 2021.
Speaking at the conference with the theme, “Building Nigerian Army Capacity in Combating Emerging Security Threats in a Joint Operations Environment,” he said the commanders must look at the possibilities of conducting wide range of operations against bandits and terrorists.
“Commanders must ensure that their troops master the art of night operations and anti-ambush drills by engaging in effective night operations and anti-ambush drill training. We must take the fight to the adversary in order to neutralize and defeat them.
“The commanders are also urged to develop contingency plans to ensure our forces always retain the initiative in all our theatres of operation. In that vein, commanders must plan for the possible increase in scope and dimension of the activities of violent state actors in the coming year.
“In the course of the conference, we have ideated vigorously over salient issues affecting the performance of our constitutional roles and the sustainment of professionalism. We have equally considered the various security issues plaguing our nation. Consequently, our focus for the coming year would be on developing capacities for improved performances across board. Emphasis will be placed on both individual and unit training that will enhance teamwork and professionalism,” he said.
The Army Chief further urged the commandants of NA and Corps schools to conduct realistic training in their various insitutions to ensure “our officers and soldiers are equipped with the right skills and competencies to confront all criminal elements in the various theatres of operations.”
He further stated that “the directive on the new procedure for the conduct of range classification exercise has been communicated to all participants for compliance each commanders must ensure that units under command adopt this new procedure which is aimed at ensuring accountability and security of controlled items in the NA.
“This conference was declared open on Monday the Special Guest Honour, His Excellency, President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Nigeria, President Muhammadu Buhari.
“In his remarks, he charged the armed forces to focus on building on the gains of our operational and training activities in the Year 2021 and to move the Nigerian Army to a new era of military professionalism.
“I am happy to state that the Conference has afforded us the opportunity to appraise our activities and efforts so far towards achieving the goal of better positioning the Nigerian Army to face the tasks ahead in Year 2022 and beyond.
“I also want to assure Nigerians that in the coming year, there shall be visible signs of improved security across the Country.
“Let me once again seize this opportunity to advise those fueling the crises in various locations across the Country desist from their unpatriotic acts as we remain committed and unapologetic to ensure peace returns to every part of the Country in no distant time.”
