By JOHN NWOKOCHA, Abuja

Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen Faruk Yahaya, has tasked all the Commandants of Nigerian Army to be decisive, aggressive; as well as proactive, against terrorists, bandits and criminal elements across the country.

“Commanders must also look at the possibilities of conducting wide range of operations against bandits and terrorists,” said the COAS.

Faruk also charged Commanders of the Nigerian Army to take the fight against insurgents to the ‘adversary.’

These were contained in his remarks during the closing ceremony of the Chief of Army Staff Annual Conference 2021, on Friday in Abuja.

He said the Nigerian Army, under his leadership should strive to change the tide of events in terms of insecurity.

He noted the improved support to the Nigerian Army was enjoying from the federal government, urging: “I expect that with the improved support we have in terms of logistics and other key combat enablers, we should strive to decisively defeat the adversaries in all theatres of operations.”

Faruk said the conference was an opportunity to appraise the activities of the army as well as efforts made so far towards the goal of better positioning the army to the task ahead in 2022 and beyond.

He said this was in line with President Muhammadu Buhari’s charge to the army to focus on building a new era of military professionalism.

President Buhari who declared the conference open as the Special Guest of honour, made this charge through the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen LEO Irabor who represented him.

Faruk charged the commanders to focus on developing more capacity for better performance, adding that he is convinced that the conference has provided the much needed direction towards building capacity of the Nigerian Army to accomplish assigned missions.

He said while addressing the Commanders: “In line with the theme of the Conference which is ‘Building Nigerian Army Capacity in Combating Emerging Security Threats in a Joint Operations Environment’, I am convinced that this Conference has provided the much needed direction towards building capacity of the Nigerian Army to accomplish assigned missions within a joint environment in defence of our dear country.”

He continued: “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.

“In this regard, I want to urge commandants of NA and Corps schools to ensure they conduct realistic training in their various institutions 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.

“I want to remind Formation and Unit Commanders on the need to ensure systematic inspection of arms and ammunition as well as the various holding facilities.

“Additionally, the directive on the new procedure for the conduct of range classification exercise has been communicated to all participants for compliance.

“Thus, 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.

“In the conduct of our operations, Commanders must be proactive and aggressive in order to defeat the adversary. Let me state at this point that we must ensure all our deployments in the theatres of operations are held in strength to defeat any attack.

“Commanders must also look at the possibilities of conducting wide range of operations against bandits and terrorists.

“Furthermore, 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.

“Furthermore, 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.”

Assuring Nigerians of improved security across the country next year, he said “there shall be visible signs of improved security across the Country.”

He reiterated the Nigerian Army's loyalty to President Buhari. As he puts it: “Let me also reiterate that the Nigerian Army, under my leadership, will remain loyal to the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and to Mr President, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“On behalf of the officers and soldiers of the Nigerian Army, I wish to most respectfully reassure Mr President of the unalloyed loyalty and commitment of the Nigerian Army to the defence of democratic governance in Nigeria.”

He commended the participants and Commanders for their support and cooperation and urged them to remain determined and committed in their operations.

Faruk emphasized on the need to ensure the observance of human rights in the activities of the Nigerian Army, adding “even as we stay ruthless in dealing with perpetrators of violent crimes that undermine national security of the country.”

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