Nigeria’s former Heads of State, Generals Ibrahim Babangida and Abdulsalami Abubakar on Monday expressed confidence on the Nigerian Army’s (NA) efforts and ability, under the leadership of Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Faruk Yahaya, to stem the tide of current security challenges being faced by the nation.
General Babangida spoke when the COAS visited him at his Hill Top residence in Minna, Niger State, pointing out that though the nation is dealing with various security treats in parts of the country, the Nigerian Army has put up tremendous effort to tackle the security challenges, since the COAS assumed command.
In the same vein, General Abubakar noted that the COAS assumed command at a time the nation is being confronted with multifaceted security challenges, expressed satisfaction with the COAS’ unrelenting drive at confronting the challenges squarely at all fronts.
He commended General Yahaya for engaging key stakeholders across the country in the untiring search for public support and cooperation to effectively enhance ongoing operations against insecurity in the nation.
Gen Abubakar further lauded the COAS for his pragmatic leadership in visiting military formations and theatres of operations to engage and motivate the troops, calling on officers in the junior leadership of the NA to emulate the exemplary leadership virtues of the COAS.
Meanwhile, Governor of Niger State, Alhaji Abubakar Sani Bello, has called on the people of the State and Nigerians in general to support the Nigerian Army and the Armed Forces and security agencies in the ongoing anti-banditry and Counter Insurgency Counter Terrorism operations in the country.
Governor Bello maintained when when the COAS’ visited him in Government House, Minna, that without security, there would be deficiency in socio-economic development, urging all key stakeholders and well meaning Nigerians to support and cooperate with the military and other security agencies in the fight against banditry and other forms of security challenges in the country.
The Governor assured the COAS of his government’s cooperation with the NA and the AFN to mitigate insecurity in the state.
Speaking during the visit, the COAS disclosed he was on a working visit to Niger State and Headquarters Training and Doctrine Command, Nigerian Army, for the Doctrinal Development Conference aimed at reviewing Army training and operational concepts.
He however added that the visit to the two former Heads of State and the Governor was not solely to pay homage, but to as well interface with the former leaders and the Governor in his effort to squarely address security challenges in Niger State and the nation in general.
General Yahaya expressed optimism that with the right support and cooperation from key stakeholders and the citizenry, the NA and indeed the Armed Forces of Nigeria and other security agencies will overcome the current security challenges bedeviling the nation.