By CHARLES IWUOHA

The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Maj.-Gen. Faruk Yahaya, has vowed that the Nigerian Army will continue to pursue individuals and groups taking arms against the state.

Yahaya made the vow on Tuesday in Enugu during an operational visit to 82 Division of the Nigerian Army.

He noted that the operational thrust followed the mandate of the President to ensure all activities of insurgents, terrorists, criminals, hoodlums and vandals are decisively dealt with.

“I am here to ensure that we will prosecute the mandate of the President meant to restore peace in every part of the country and Nigerians carrying out their livelihood and human activities unhindered.

“The Division is doing well in this regard and the army headquarters is here to support them and ensure total victory against all armed and destructive enemies of the state,” he said.

The COAS, however, charged officers of the Division to redouble their efforts, adding: “We are making progress, however, we are not there yet.”

Addressing soldiers of the Division, the army boss applauded them for the sustained fight against all forms of criminality within the Area of Responsibility (AOR) of the Division.

Yahaya assured them that their welfare would be met according to available resources; while all operational needs and challenges would be resolved soon for better results.

“From all I have seen and briefed on; it is clear that you are performing and we expect this to continue unabated until victory is assured.

“I believe in hard work and competence as well as reward for exceptional performance and dedication to duty,” he said.

The COAS urged the soldiers to channel all communication – complaints, suggestion and observation – through the appropriate communication channel laid down by the Nigerian Army.

The visit featured two hours of closed door meeting between the COAS and all principal officers and senior officers of the Division.

The COAS also inaugurated the newly renovated quarter guard complex after he inspected a quarter guard parade mounted in his honour.

The army boss also inspected the water works and internal roads within Abakpa Military Cantonment, Enugu.

Update news