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2023: Nigerian Army Firmed Up for General Elections – COAS

By Lawrence Audu

The Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Faruk Yahaya has said the Nigerian Army is also firming up its preparations to provide the necessary security assistance to ensure the successful conduct of the 2023 general elections.

General Yahaya assured that as electioneering activities for general elections begin, the Nigerian Army remains committed to discharge its constitutional responsibilities and assist in providing secured environment for the conduct of the general elections through Operation SAFE CONDUCT.

The Army Chief gave the assurance Tuesday, while declaring open the Third Quarter Chief of Army Staff Conference at the Army Headquarters Command Officers’ Mess Asokoro Abuja.

Recall that the COAS had announced that the Nigerian Army will review its Rules of Engagement and Code of Conduct for general elections.

General Yahaya further reiterated his resolve to maintain constant interaction with commanders in the field in a bid to collectively continue to make improvements in operations and other activities. He further commended Commanders for the implementation of the decisions taken during the last conference as evident in the successes recorded, particularly in ongoing operations across all theatres of operation.

“Our kinetic actions in the Northeast theatre of operations have continued to dismantle the cohesion of the insurgents resulting in massive surrenders of the terrorists. This has positively impacted on the morale of troops and greatly bolstered the confidence of the citizens. Efforts must therefore be geared towards leveraging on the gains so far recorded to stamp out the miscreants permanently.

“The recent successful hosting of Nigerian Army Day Celebration in the Southeast has impacted positively on the security situation in the region even as the troops continue to take decisive actions against the secessionists. The Nigerian Army will continue to perform its roles professionally in the region in collaboration with other Services and security agencies as well as State and Local Government authorities. Equally, the troops deployed in the South-South region under Operation DELTA SAFE have continued to perform creditably with the rejuvenated joint operations leading to the arrest of several suspects and their sponsors. Concerted effort is ongoing to ensure maximal revenue is derived by the country from its oil ventures in the South-South region.

“The Nigerian Army has also continued to contribute positively for the maintenance of security in the Southwest region, which generally remains relatively calm. Our security arrangements in the region have been reinforced in collaboration with other security agencies, particularly in the wake of the unfortunate incursions by terrorists to the region. More successes are envisaged in the region in the days ahead as concerted efforts are being undertaken to track and apprehend the criminals as well as their sponsors.

“Our offensive operations in the Northwest and North Central regions have also been intensified. Accordingly, troops in conjunction with the Nigerian Air Force have continued to neutralize bandits’ and destroy their hideouts under the recently launched onslaughts such as Operation DESERT SANITY. As troops continue to sustain the offensives on the bandits and terrorists, efforts are ongoing to enhance our training activities and inject more manpower as well as game changing equipment into all theatres of operations.”

He reiterated that the Third Quarter Conference provides an important platform to further appraise the Nigerian Army’s performance and bring in fresh ideas to enhance our activities in all fronts.

“Also starting from this Conference, we have invited some selected Commanding Officers particularly from the maneuver and other Arms and Services. We have also invited all the Regimental Sergeant Majors (RSMs) of all the Divisions of the Nigerian Army.

“The aim is to drive home firsthand some vital information, instructions and guidance down the chain of command. The Commanding Officers are tactical commanders who lead or deploy the point sections and contact troops in most of our operations.

“Talking to them directly through the Conference is expected to improve their confidence, operational skills and competences and thus enhance the outcomes of our operations. The RSMs are well respected fathers of their formations and units, custodians of Nigerian Army ethics, customs and traditions and regimentation.

“In that unique position, they provide critical link between officers and soldiers, and it is expected that their attendance of the Conference will further enhance that connect, improve their confidence, information flow and understanding and ensures soldiers get insights firsthand from their RSMS on the issues discussed, conclusions reached, and decisions taken at the Conference.” He added.

The weeklong Conference creates an opportunity for the Chief of Army Staff to have face to face interaction with Principal Staff Officers, General Officers Commanding, Field Commanders and other senior officers, in an effort to providing strategic guidance towards enhancing Nigerian Army Operations and Administration.

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