How I Plan To Defeat Insurgency In Nigeria As COAS – Yahaya

The Chief of Army Staff, Major-General Farouk Yahaya has disclosed that he has a collaborative strategy to fight insurgency in Nigeria.

He stated that that the fight against insecurity can’t be prosecuted by the Army alone and that is why he plans to work with other security chiefs, security agencies, traditional institutions and all relevant stakeholders in the country to combat all forms of insecurity plaguing Nigeria at the moment.

He expressed optimism that if all stakeholders can work together against the insurgents, they will be crushed quickly.

Gen. Yahaya made the submission on Tuesday in Abuja when he appeared for screening before the joint House of Representatives Committees on Defence and Army.

He said, “From my experience, this job can’t be done by a single service or entity, the Army itself is a group work, not individual and that’s why we’re arranged in sections, companies, battalions and brigades.

“Captured in the vision of the last COAS and in my vision too is the mention of a joint environment in what we do, having realised that this job isn’t a one service job.

“It also requires other agencies and stakeholders and as we speak, the former chief has already gathered these as a cornerstone for the achievement of his mandate, you see the composition of the Army, Navy and Air Force including the Police, DSS and Civil Defence and all other stakeholders.”

The COAS noted that he brings with him 36 years of military experience which will be brought to bear in combating insecurity if confirmed by the lawmakers.

Meanwhile, the Nigerian Army has explained why the Chief of Army Staff Major General Farouk Yahaya claimed on Tuesday that he has spent 36 years in service.

It will be recalled that Yahaya made the claim when he appeared for screening before the House of Representatives Committees on Defence and Army.

According to him, he has put in 36 years of service having joined the military in 1985.

The 36 years is already one year more than the normal 35 years constitutionally allowed in the public service before retirement, Naija News reports.

However, reacting to the controversies surrounding the disclosure by the Army Chief, the Director of Army Public Relations, Brigadier General Mohammed Yerima, in a statement explained that Gen. Yahaya captured his military experience to include the five years he spent in training as Officer Cadet in the Nigerian Defence Academy.

Yerima however explained further that the record of service of an officer counts from the day he is commissioned which in the case of the COAS is September 22nd, 1990 which he also stated during his appearance before the lawmakers.