By JOHN NWOKOCHA, Abuja

Preside Muhammadu Buhari has charged the Nigerian military to change its strategy of fighting terrorists in the country. The president spoke on Tuesday in Abuja as he declared open the 2021 Chief of Army Staff Annual Conference. Buhari, who was the special guest of honour at the event, was represented by the Chief of Defence Staff, General LEO Irabor. He said that fight against terrorists is driven by intelligence. He therefore charged the armed forces to take intelligence gathering more seriously in order to decimate terrorists.

Speaking in the same vein, President Buhari cautioned the military to shun politics and focus on professionalism saying the armed forces should be apolitical. He however commended the efforts of the military in fighting insurgency, bandits as well as defending the territorial integrity of the country.

President Buhari also promised to improve the welfare of personnel in the armed forces.

In his welcome address the Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen Faruk Yahaya, said the army under him is working assiduously towards professionalism.

Said Yahaya:“It is line with the President's directive and my intent to rebuild the Nigerian Army into a more formidable force that I conceived the vision of having "A Professional Nigerian Army Ready to Accomplish Assigned Missions within a Joint Environment in Defence of

Nigeria". He added: “As I speak, this vision is being realized through the monumental and immeasurable support the Nigerian Army has received from Mr President, which cuts across the entire spectrum of military affairs”.

In his own remarks, the Minister of Defence, expressed satisfaction with the performances of the armed forces in tackling insecurity across the country, saying“In line with the Ministry of Defence core mandate of maintaining men of the Nigerian Armed Forces in a state of combat readiness on land, sea and air; I want to passionately appreciate most sincerely the President, Commander-in-Chief, His Excellency Muhammadu Buhari for his quick intervention in the approval of funds for the immediate/emergency procurement of critical equipment and platforms for the Armed Forces of Nigeria to tackle the spate of insecurity across the country”.

The event was attended by a crème of the county’s military and para militaryofficers both serving and retired.

Former COAS in attendance, included, Generals, Martin Agwai, AO Ihejirika, Alwali Kasim, Abdulrahman Danbassau, Amb Tukur Buratai, among others. Top politicians were also present at the event such as Senator Ali Ndume, Chairman, Senate Committee on Army, Hon A Namdas, Chairman, House of Representatives committee on Army. Also present are: EFCC boss, Abdulrasheed Bawa, IGP, Usman Baba.