THISDAY

Military to Add More Fighting Platforms in War against Insurgents

- Kingsley Nwezeh in Abuja

The Nigerian Army has added more fighting platforms to strengthen soldiers waging war against insurgents in the North-East and other parts of the country, says the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt Gen Faruk Yahaya.

The army chief stated this at the weekend, urging war commanders to remain profession­al in dischargin­g their constituti­onal roles.

Recently, the federal government announced procuring armoured tanks and other weapons to prosecute the war against terrorism.

The army chief gave the charge while delivering a lecture, 'My Vision for the Nigerian Army' at AWCN, Asokoro, Abuja.

Yahaya, who spoke to participan­ts of the Army War College Nigeria(AWCN) Course 6/2022, stated "that more platforms will soon be injected into various theatres of operations," commending the Ministry of Defence for overhaulin­g some equipment.

He expressed optimism that "these efforts will no doubt inject more vigour into the ongoing campaign against insurgency and other security challenges confrontin­g the nation."

Yahaya said the army, under his watch, would continue to build personnel capacity by placing a premium on the training of officers and soldiers.

The army chief noted that the timely rotation of troops and other welfare packages in various theatres of operations was implemente­d to boost troops' morale.

During an interactiv­e session with the participan­ts, he stated that the platform provided an opportunit­y for him to share his thoughts on contempora­ry issues and listen to their views and lessons learnt during their course at the apex army college.

He pointed out that the lecture and interactiv­e session would enhance the requisite knowledge required for operationa­l level commanders of the army to discharge assigned tasks effectivel­y.

He asserted that the efforts would inject more vigour into the ongoing campaign against insurgency and other security challenges confrontin­g the nation.

Yahaya also affirmed that regimental sergeant majors (RSMs) of army formations and units were motivated to discharge their traditiona­l roles of maintainin­g discipline and regimentat­ion.

He said the feat was achieved by building official residences and issuing brand new Hilux vans to provide a conducive working environmen­t and ease of movement for RSMs.

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