Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Faruk Yahaya, on Tuesday directed all Nigerian Army Commanders to sensitize their personnel and ensure that all personnel deployed for security duties during the election period are given personal copies and thoroughly educated on the guidelines provided in the document of the Nigerian Army Rules of Engagement, Code of Conduct.
General Yahaya, who gave the directive while declaring open the Chief of Army Staff Third Quarter Conference 2022 holding at the Army Headquarters Command Mess 1, Abuja, said the Nigerian Army is also firming up its preparations to provide the necessary security assistance to ensure the successful conduct of the 2023 general elections.
General Yahaya stressed that the Commanding Officers are tactical commanders who lead or deploy the point sections and contact troops in most of our operations.
“Talking to them directly through the Conference is expected to improve their confidence, operational skills and competences and thus enhance the outcomes of our operations while the RSMs are well respected fathers of their formations and units, custodians of NA ethics, customs and traditions and regimentation”, he said.
The Army Chief assured the electorates that the Nigerian Army remains committed to discharge its constitutional responsibilities and assist in providing secured environment for the conduct of the general elections through Operation SAFE CONDUCT.
He commended all Commanders for job well done in the implementation of the decisions taken during the last conference as evident in the successes recorded, particularly in ongoing operations across all theatres of operation.
“Our kinetic actions in the North East theatre of operations have continued to dismantle the cohesion of the insurgents resulting in massive surrenders of the terrorists.
“This has positively impacted on the morale of troops and greatly bolstered the confidence of the citizens. Efforts must therefore be geared towards leveraging on the gains so far recorded to stamp out the miscreants permanently”.
He added that, the recent successful hosting of Nigerian Army Day Celebration in the South East has impacted positively on the security situation in the region even as the troops continue to take decisive actions against the secessionists.
He said, the troops deployed in the South South region under Operation DELTA SAFE have continued to perform creditably with the rejuvenated joint operations leading to the arrest of several suspects and their sponsors. Concerted effort is ongoing to ensure maximal revenue is derived by the country from its oil ventures in the South South region.
“The Nigerian Army has also continued to contribute positively for the maintenance of security in the South West region, which generally remains relatively calm. Our offensive operations in the North West and North Central regions have also been intensified. Accordingly, troops in conjunction with the Nigerian Air Force have continued to neutralize bandits’ and destroy their hideouts under the recently launched onslaughts such as Operation DESERT SANITY.
“Our security arrangements in the region have been reinforced in collaboration with other security agencies, particularly in the wake of the unfortunate incursions by terrorists to the region. More successes are envisaged in the region in the days ahead as concerted efforts are been undertaken to track and apprehend the criminals as well as their sponsors”, he noted.
The Third Quarter COAS Conference 2022 is in line with Chief of Army Staff resolve to maintain constant interaction with commanders in the field as they all collectively continue to make improvements in military operations and other activities.