Insecurity: Redouble Your Efforts, No More Excuses – COAS Tells Army Commanders

The Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Farouk Yahaya has stated that the Nigerian Army must go all out in dealing with terrorists and other criminals responsible for insecurity in the country.

This is as he charged them not to relent in their efforts irrespective of happenings and situations around them.

Specifically, he told the commanders and principal staff officers to ensure the success of all operations under their command as they remain pivotal to the general success of the Army, and no excuses under whatever guise will be accepted from them.

The COAS made the submission on Monday during his address at the opening ceremony of the Chief of Army Staff combined second and third quarter conference 2021.

Naija News reports the event is Yahaya’s maiden conference since assuming command as the Chief of Army Staff on 27th May 2021.

The event is designed to be a platform to brainstorm and interact on the state of affairs of the Nigerian Army and review activities for Second and Third Quarters 2021.

He said, “As officers and commanders under whose charge are placed men, material, and other resources, you are the key drivers of these pillars.

“You must therefore note that even if we have all we require, we might not achieve much without you providing effective leadership.

“I, therefore, charge you all to immediately key into my vision so that together, we can take the Nigerian Army to greater heights.

“Commanders must seize initiative and commanders must take initiative, they must take decisive actions to defeat the threats in their respective Area of responsibilities. I will not again take or accept excuses.

“Gentlemen, failure is failure irrespective of the circumstances!!”

“The Nigerian Army under my watch remain resolute and continue to chart progressive paths towards tackling the security challenges confronting the Country.

“Hence, I have directed that serious attention be given to sustaining and improving the tempo in all ongoing Nigerian Army operations across the Country.

“I will continue to demand that you redouble your efforts so that we can decisively deal with our adversaries or any group or person that threaten the peace and stability of our great nation.”

To achieve more results, Yahaya said he has given approval for the conduct of special operations in North West and North Central targeted at silencing the security challenges in the region.

He, therefore, called on all units and formations of the Army to key into his philosophy.

“I have also directed for the conduct of special operations especially in the North Central and Northwest Regions to address the deteriorating security infractions in the Regions.

“Commanders must therefore glean from my Command Philosophy to ensure that operational and administrative proficiencies of Nigerian Army units and formations are sustained and improved upon,” he said.

The COAS also revealed that there will be more collaborations with other security agencies in the country in tackling the various security challenges bedeviling Nigeria.

He said: “We have commenced building bridges across the Services and agencies through robust joint, interagency, and inter-governmental framework to confront our current security challenges. As formation commanders and Principal Staff Officers, your role is critical to the attainment of my vision.”

While charging the officers and men of the Army to redouble efforts, Gen Yahaya stated that he is aware of logistics and operational challenges but all those will be dealt with to make them ready to discharge their constitutional duties effectively.

In his words, “I am aware of logistics constraints affecting operations across the Country and I am glad to inform you that efforts are in progress to provide us with combat enablers that would enhance and boost our operations. Concerted efforts are also being made to eliminate the threat of improvised explosive devices which has been a major impediment to troops and our operations in Operation HADIN KAI.”

“I want to assure you that I am determined to rebuild the fighting skills, capacity, confidence, and morale of our troops across the various theatres of operations. Training must also be given due attention that it deserves. In order to achieve this, priorities for the fourth quarter of the year would include training and more training.”

“I will ensure that through functional training, officers and soldiers of the Nigerian Army are equipped with the right attitude, competences and skills to effectively undertake daring missions in addition to developing special operations forces. This would be closely followed by procurement that ensures appropriate kitting and provision of protective gear, weapons, equipment and platforms.”

“Let me however remind you all that while no effort will be spared in achieving these goals, it is command responsibility to ensure the sustenance and maintenance of all equipment. We must therefore strive to improve our maintenance culture to prolong the life span of our platforms and equipment.”

He also used the opportunity to appreciate all the officers and soldiers of the Nigerian Army for their unrelenting sacrifice and efforts in ensuring that the Nigerian Army fulfills its constitutional responsibilities.