'Nigerian Army Resolute In Tackling Security Challenges ' — COAS

The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Faruk Yahaya, has stated that the Nigerian army has remained resolute in tackling the unending security challenges faced by different parts of the country.

Yahaya made this known in Abuja on Monday at the opening of the 2021 Chief of Army Staff Conference with the theme, “Building Nigerian Army’s Capacity in Combating Emerging Security Threats in a Joint Operating Environment”.

The Lieutenant-General said that the military is committed to tackling the enormous security challenges across the six geopolitical zones.

He said the security challenges range from Farmers/Herders clashes, increased banditry and kidnapping, activities of the proscribed Indigenous Peoples of Biafra and its Eastern Security Network and wanton killings.

Yahaya said the army had continued to record remarkable successes in all areas of operations aimed at protecting the lives and property of all Nigerians.

According to him, though “maintaining the peace is more challenging than winning the war”, the Army remains resolute in bringing the myriads of security challenges to a logical conclusion favourable to the nation.

“The Nigerian army in the preceding quarters of 2021, faced daunting challenges that made it more robust in achieving its mandate.

It is therefore the Nigerian Army’s resolve to continue to discharge its constitutional roles toward ensuring peace and stability in every part of the country.

“I wish to assure President and the good people of Nigeria that the army is ever ready at all times to defend our democracy and the territorial integrity of our nation,” Yahaya said.

The COAS said that the army’s performance in the conduct of operations had been greatly sustained and improved with the efficient procurement and induction of military hard and software across all theatres of operation.

According to him, the Nigerian army has within the year, also undertaken military exercises across the country to enhance the capacity of troops to tackle emerging security challenges.

“These exercises namely Exercise Still Water, Exercise Golden Dawn and Exercise Enduring Peace which are ongoing, were designed to transmute into real-time operations to address security challenges being experienced across the country.”

Yahaya attributed the successes recorded by the Nigerian army in its operations to constant training, sourcing additional equipment locally and enhanced focus on research and development.

According to him, a total of 10 AFVs, 37 B vehicles and 777 small arms and light weapons as well as seven 155mm artillery guns were repaired, refurbished and remodified locally.

“Importantly, we are delighted to showcase to the President, our innovative and inventive products achieved through robust research and development efforts in the drive towards building our military-industrial complex.

"President Sir, we are indeed honoured and delighted to have you in our midst to unveil the Nigerian-made RPG 7, which is an entirely indigenous production effort from start to finish,” the COAS said.