DEFENCE
Buhari Salutes Army on 2022 NADCEL
President Muhammadu Buhari has felicitated with the Nigerian Army on the 2022 Nigerian Army Day Celebration (NADCEL).
The president conveyed his congratulatory message to the Force at the grand finale of the NADCEL, in Owerri, on Wednesday.
Buhari, represented by the Minister for Defence, Maj.
-Gen. Bachir Magaji (rtd), thanked the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. -Gen. Farouk Yahaya, for the resilience of Nigerian Army under his watch, in the face of daunting challenges.He urged the Army to remain proactive and adapt new strategies, measures and techniques and to sustain their collaborative efforts with other security agencies.
He pledged his unflinching commitment to a united and peaceful Nigeria, that could occupy its pride of place in the comity of nations and give Nigerians a proud sense of belonging.
“My administration will continue to do everything within its constitutional power to safeguard Nigerians. I reassure you of my commitment to the security of all Nigerians.
“I thank the Chief Of Army Staff and his officers and soldiers for their loyalty to our nationhood and I promise to do everything within my constitutional power to support you “, he said.
Speaking, Yahaya thanked the President for keeping faith with the Nigerian Army and informed him that the Army, under his watch, had modestly lived up to expectation.
He assured the President of his loyalty to Nigeria and commitment to nationhood.
He added that troops were already undergoing rigorous training for the 2023 elections and charged them to remain apolitical and professionally carry out their constitutional duty, in line with the rules of engagement.
” It was on this day in 1967 that the first shot was fired to start the civil war. Today, we remember the role of the Army in returning peace to Nigeria.
“I also like to state that the Nigerian Army under my watch, has conducted kinetic as well as civil-military operations such as donation of COVID-19 vaccines during the pandemic of the pandemic.
“We have also constructed roads and schools in various parts of the country, with the Nigerian Army Officers Wives Association carrying out humanitarian outreach to civilians.
“I therefore reassure Nigerians of the commitment of the Nigerian Army under my watch to do everything within our constitutional powers to preserve the territorial integrity of Nigeria and to ensure that Nigerians can have a military which they can be proud of,” he said.
Newsmen reports that scholarship awards were presented to children of fallen soldiers, with some serving officers and soldiers receiving awards for their outstanding performances.
Also Present at the event were Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. L.E.O. Irabor, other service chiefs, and heads of security agencies as well as members of the National Assembly committees on Army, Defence and Security. (NAN)
DEFENCE
Police Intensify Security in Cross River Ahead of Easter Festival
The Cross River Police command says it has beefed up security across the State preparatory to the celebration of Easter festival.
Mr. Gyogon Grimah, the Commissioner of Police, made this known in Calabar on Monday.
According to him, the tactical teams of the Police as well as other regular formations have been deployed at strategic positions within the state to secure the lives and property of the residents during the festival.
This is contained in a statement signed by the command spokesperson, SP Irene Ugbo and made available to newsmen in Calabar on Monday.
The CP who felicitated with the people of the state and Christian faithful, directed for close surveillance activities, foot/vehicular patrols, and visibility policing across, to forestall security breaches during the period.
He said the Police Area Commanders, Divisional Police Oficers (DPOs) and Tactical Commanders were directed to ensure safety and security of the general public before, during and after the event.
“The Police Command will not fold its hand and watch any group or individuals under whatever guise to obstruct or cause breakdown of law and order.”
“I urge all public spirited individuals to volunteer useful and genuine information to the Police and support the Police and other security agencies to ensure peaceful coexistence in the state and the nation as a whole,” he appealed,” he said
He enjoins citizens residing in the state to go about their lawful businesses without fear or panic.(NAN)
DEFENCE
Air Force Knocks out Terrorists’ Enclaves Near Lake Chad
The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) says the Air Component of the military special task force, “Operation Hadin Kai’’, has continued to decimate terrorists and their hideouts at Tumbuns near Lake Chad.
NAF’s Director, Public Relations and Information, AVM Edward Gabkwet, stated on Monday in Abuja that intelligence report received made airstrikes on a location Northwest of Arina Woje in Tumbuns on Sunday imperative.
He explained that the report indicated the presence of terrorists’ hideouts at the location.
He added that the report also confirmed an activation of terrorists’ activities around clusters of structures concealed under trees near the location.
“A post-strike Battle Damage Assessment revealed that several terrorists were neutralised and their hideouts set ablaze, thereby degrading their capabilities to attack surface forces.
“These strikes have also degraded the capabilities of terrorist elements operating in the region to attack innocent civilians residing near Arina Woje in Borno,’’ Gabkwet stated. (NAN)
DEFENCE
Army’ll Continue to Build Capacity to Surmount Security Threats -GOC
The General Officer Commanding (GOC) 1 Division Nigeria, Maj.-Gen Mayirenso Saraso, says the Nigerian Army will continue to build the capacity of its Officers and men to enable them surmount the emerging security threats.
The GOC stated this at a three-day capacity building for 1 Division Operations Planning Cadre 2024 for Officers on Monday in Kaduna.
Saraso said the avenue was to bring together the participants of the ranks of Captains to Colonels in the divsion’s Area of Responsibility to build cohesion and synergize with sister security agencies.
“The training is organized to refresh us on the various aspects of operations planning process in order to enhance our
skills and improve capacity in single and joint service operations planning process,” he said.
The GOC said this was in line with the Chief of
Army Staff’s command philosophy.
It is: ‘ To Transform the Nigerian Army into a Well-trained, Equipped and Highly Motivated Force Towards Achieving our Constitutional Responsibilities within a Joint Environment’.
Saraso said, “As we are all witnessing, warfare is becoming increasingly complex due to changes in the nature of threats and
advancement in technology.
“In view of this, armies world over
are continually engaged in training and capacity building to enable them surmount emerging security challenges.”
According to the GOC, the Nigerian Army equally recognizes these changes and therefore, seeks to develop capacity through realistic training that will enhance its
operations.
He explained that the division’s experiences in Birnin Gwari,Falgore, Kagara and other forests, among others, had helped it to draw useful lessons and identify gaps in the conduct of its operations.
The GOC said the 1 Division Operations Planning Cadre for this year was expected to explore ways of building on existing efforts by it to meet its operational needs in the areas of Warfare Operations Planning.
“Others are military decision making process, intelligence preparation of the battle space and logistics in operational planning amongst others, “he said.
Saraso urged the participants to have an open mind in order to derive maximum benefits from the cadre.
The GOC appreciated the Chief of Army Staff, Taoreed Lagbaja for providing the resources for the cadre, his exemplary and inspiring leadership, support motivation to the division..(NAN)