By Victor Akaa, Abuja
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Ibrahim Attahiru has charged the Nigerian Army’s Principal Staff Officers (PSOs), General Officers Commanding (GOCs) and Field Commanders to sustain as well as improve tempo of all its Operations going on across the country.
General Attahiru gave the charge Monday, during the opening ceremony of the combined COAS first quarter Conference and Nigerian Army Operations Retreat 2021, held in Abuja.
He said, the call became necessary due to the upsurge and incessant cases of security challenges such as insurgency, banditry ,kidnapping amongst other threats the country is facing in recent times.
Gen Attahiru also noted that threats of Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs), in the North East were major hindrances and impediments to military Operations in the zone hence the need to tackle it holistically .
This he said, Nigerian Army, under his watch, will spare no efforts and remained resolute in dealing decisively with those threats.
The Army Chief noted that, the retreat was to brainstorm on the NA’s state of affairs, reviewing its ongoing Operations across the country, identifying gaps that could be addressed in the planning and conduct of future operations and to
chart the way forward to enhance administrative and operational efficiency and proficiency.
He tasked Commanders to glean from his ‘Command Philosophy’ to ensure that operational and administrative proficiencies of Nigerian Army formations and units are sustained and improved upon.
“I am particularly pleased with the initiative to hold the Nigerian Army Operations Retreat a part of the First Quarter Conference after so many years.
“You will agree with me, that the retreat provides a platform to reassess the threat environment and review our operations with a view to identifying gaps that could be addressed in the planning and conduct of future operations.
“In this regard, I want to state that the Nigerian Army under my watch will remain resolute in decisively dealing with any threat confronting the country.
“Hence, I have directed that serious attention must be given to sustaining and improving the tempo in all ongoing Nigerian Army Operations across the country.
“Commanders must therefore glean from my Command Philosophy to ensure that operational and administrative proficiencies of Nigerian Army formations and units are sustained and improved upon.” he stated.
COAS also expressed firm determination to rebuild the fighting skills, capacity, confidence and morale of troops across the theatres of operations.
“I will ensure that through functional training, officers and soldiers of the Nigerian Army are equipped with the right competences and skills to effectively undertake daring missions, in addition to developing special operations forces,” added the COAS.
According to him,procurement of appropriate kitting and provision of protective gear, weapons, equipment and platforms amongst other logistics as well due consideration of troops’ welfare will be given top priority to boost troops’ morale .
“As I speak, we will soon be receiving combat enablers that would enhance and boost our operations.
“Let me however remind you all, command responsibility to ensure the sustenance and maintenance of all equipment while measures must be emplaced to ensure sound administration of troops and their families.”
COAS commended the NA personnel for their unrelenting efforts in ensuring the protection of lives and property in the Nigeria.
