The Chief of Army Staff, Lieut. Gen. Faruk Yahaya, on Monday, said that the Nigerian Army will utilize the support of international entities to defeat the various threats confronting the country.
The COAS was speaking in Bauchi while launching the 2023 Combat Arms Training Week organized by the Nigerian Army Armoured Corps and Infantry Corps (NAAC), Bauchi, with the theme ‘Capacity Building for Operational Efficiency of the Combat Arms in a Joint Environment.’
According to him, the combat arms of the Nigerian Army have been performing creditably well in the discharge of their assigned mission in various internal and foreign operational environments with remarkable successes.
He added that the successes recorded were due to the resolve and determination of President Muhammadu Buhari to support the Military in performing its constitutional responsibilities through improved funding, clear strategic directives and provision of needed logistics.
According to him, “We shall utilize the support of international entities to defeat the various threats confronting Nigeria. These measures as vigorously pursued and sustained will make the Nigerian Army and indeed the combat arms better equipped to take on present and future security challenges.”
Faruk Yahaya added that “Efforts are being sustained at the highest levels to re-jig the Nigerian Army. It is also imperative for the combat arms and indeed all other components of the Nigerian Army to continue to look inward and make the best use of available resources.”
“Let me reaffirm that the Nigerian Army will continue to evolve along with the dynamics of the society,” he said.
Lt. General Faruq Yahaya also said that the Nigerian Army has succeeded in reducing the number of deaths being recorded as a result of activities of terrorists across the country.
He said that the successes followed the review of the Nigerian Army Strategy and active collaboration with relevant security agencies in dealing with security issues confronting the country.
The COAS assured that the military is committed to sustaining the gains by enhancing the capacity of its personnel through training and retaining.
While declaring the training opened, the Bauchi State Governor, Sen Bala Mohammed commended President Muhammadu Buhari for supporting the Military, especially in areas of procurement of small and heavy fighting equipment and infrastructure in all the military formations.
Bala Mohammed also said that, in line with global best practices, it was ideal for forces to train regularly in order to maintain combat readiness, adding that it is not out of place for the combat arms to constantly engage officers and men in training.
The Governor assured that his administration will continue to support the Nigerian Army in the fight against any form of banditry and insurgency anywhere in the state.
He described the role played by the Nigerian Army in ensuring the successful conduct of Presidential and Gubernatorial Elections in the state and the country charged other security agencies to always maintain neutrality.
Bala Mohammed then charged the Nigerian Army to strengthen its civil relationship with the host communities in order to promote enhanced cordiality.
In his address, the Commander, Armoured Corps, Bauchi, Maj:-Gen. Mohammed Ahmed, said that the combat arms have continued to benefit immensely from the COAS’ transformational drive.
He highlighted some of the benefits as the acquisition and induction of new Armoured Fighting Vehicles (AFVs), upgrading of training facilities, creation of new formations/units, the construction of new accommodation for Officers and Soldiers among others.
