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There shall be visible signs of improved security in 2022, COAS assures

Lt.-Gen. Faruk Yahaya, Army, COAS

*Military working in synergy to eliminate threats to national security, says Air Chief

The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Faruk Yahaya, on Friday, assured Nigerians of visible signs of improved security across the country in the coming year.

Yahaya gave the assurance in Abuja at the closing of the COAS Annual Conference 2021 with the theme “Building Nigerian Army Capacity in Combating Emerging Security Threats in a Joint Operations Environment.”

He warned those fueling crises in various locations across the country to desist from their unpatriotic acts.

The COAS said that the Nigerian army was committed to ensuring the return of peace to every part of the country in no distant time.

He added that the army would, within the ambit of the rule of law, continue to ensure that all peace-loving citizens went about their legitimate businesses and lived their lives without fear or intimidation.

Yahaya said the conference had afforded the army leadership the opportunity to appraise its activities and efforts towards better positioning of the Nigerian army to face the tasks ahead in 2022 and beyond.

According to him, the conference provided the much needed direction towards building capacity of the army to accomplish assigned missions within a joint environment in defence of the country.

“In the course of the conference, we discussed vigorously salient issues affecting the performance of our constitutional roles and the sustenance 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.

Yahaya, however, urged commandants of army training institutions to ensure realistic training to equip officers and soldiers with the right skills and competencies to confront all criminal elements in the various theatres of operations.

He also directed formation and unit commanders to ensure systematic inspection of arms and ammunition as well as the various holding facilities, among others.

In the conduct of operations, the COAS charged commanders to be proactive and aggressive to defeat the adversary and ensure that all deployments were held in strength to defeat any attack.

The chief of army staff added that commanders must also look at the possibilities of conducting wide range of operations against bandits and terrorists.

“Furthermore, commanders must ensure that their troops mastered 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 neutralise and defeat them.

“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.

“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,” he said.

The COAS further urged all commanders to remain committed and determined to positively change the tide of events with respect to insecurity in the country.

Yahaya reiterated the unalloyed loyalty and commitment of the Nigerian army to President Muhammadu Buhari and the defence of democratic governance in Nigeria.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports that the annual conference, which commenced on Monday was declared opened by President Buhari, represented by the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Lucky Irabor.

Meanwhile, the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Oladayo Amao, says all branches of the Nigerian military are working in synergy to strategically defeat threats to national security.

Amao stated this on Friday during the graduation of Junior Course 92 of the Armed Forces Command and Staff College (AFCSC), Jaji, Kaduna State.

The Air Chief was represented by Chief of Policy and Plans, Nigerian Air Force Headquarters, AVM Remigius Ekeh.

According to him, the training of the course participants was part of the military’s plan of having tactically grounded professionals to prosecute ongoing operations.

“I would like you to know that the appellation ‘Passed Junior Staff Course’ – anywhere in the world implies more responsibilities in the field and staff duties.

“It therefore means that you must live up to expectations and jealously guard the high reputation and standard of training that you received in the college.

“As you return to your units, organizations and countries, bear in mind that you will be given appointments and responsibilities that would challenge and test the skills you have acquired.

“For officers of the armed forces of Nigeria, your enhanced sense of judgement in applying these skills will even be more useful.

“Especially as the Federal Government continues to work assiduously to ensure the security and safety of Iives and property of it’s citizenry within framework of the contemporary security challenges confronting our country,” Amao said.

He congratulated participants from the Armed Forces of Mali, Ghana, Niger Republic, Gambia, Burkina Faso, Congo Brazzaville and Sierra Leone for successfully completing the course.

Earlier, the Commandant of AFCSC, AVM Ebenezer Alade said the junior course participants went through intense field training and academic activities designed to develop their command, analytical and communication skills as tactical level officers.

Alade said the knowledge acquired would equip them to efficiently operate whether singly, jointly, as multi-agency or in combined operations.

According to him, the security challenges of today are more complex as it borders on unconventional warfare.

“Thus, our responsibility as a college is to prepare you to confront and embrace these issues in the years ahead, as the country makes deliberate efforts in combating it’s security threats.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that a total of 251 junior officers gradutated afters 22 weeks of intensive training.

They include 101 officers from the Army; Nigerian Navy, 60; Nigerian Air Force, 72; seven allied students, three from Defence Intelligence Agency and one each from Police, Custom, Correctional service, DSS, FRSC, NPA, EFCC and NSCDC.

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Ihesiulo Grace

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