The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Olufemi Oluyede has charged the troops to deal decisively with all security threats to the nation
Oluyede gave the charge at the Eid-el-Adha lunch with troops in the field at Forward Operation Base (FOB) of Sub-sector 6, Operation Fansan Yanma, Fatika, Giwa LGA of Kaduna State.
Oluyode, represented by the Chief of Logistics of the Nigerian Army, Maj. Gen. Erema Akerejola cherished the ultimate sacrifices made by the Nigerian Army troops, who laid down their lives for Nigeria’s unity, peace, and stability.
He noted that the Nigerian Army’s brave and dedicated troops had demonstrated unalloyed loyalty, uncommon courage, and faith, which resulted in significant victories in the face of grave dangers.
Oluyede expressed gratitude for the gift of life and the relative peace restored in many parts of the nation while renewing the Nigerian Army’s hope for an even more secure and prosperous future.
He lamented that many of the troops carried the marks of courage and bravery through battle scars and deformities. In contrast, others were fortunate to share their memories and stories of sacrifice in service to the nation.
The Army Chief prayed for the repose of the souls of the fallen heroes, assuring their families that their selfless heroism would forever be etched in the hearts of Nigerians and humanity.
He restated the Nigerian Army’s resolute commitment to defending Nigeria’s territorial integrity against the nation’s adversaries.
Oluyede, therefore, said that Eid-El-Kabir was a significant festival that highlighted the essential virtue of sacrifice as a nation and a reminder of the strength found in selflessness and compassion towards others.
He thanked President Bola Tinubu for his unflinching support, focused leadership and strategic guidance.
Oluyede thanked Nigerians for their unwavering belief in the Nigerian Army and continuous support.
“The Nigerian Army looks forward to a more formidable collaboration to end all forms of insecurity and create an enabling environment for economic growth, stability and prosperity,” he said.
Earlier, the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 1 Division, Nigerian Army, Maj.-Gen. Mayirenso Saraso said that the Eid-el-Adha was a festival of sacrifice.
He said it also provided an avenue to acknowledge the sacrifices, total loyalty and commitments of gallant troops within 1 Division Nigerian Army’s Area of Responsibility, particularly in Kaduna State.
Saraso, who also served as Commander of Sector 1 Operation Fansan Yamma, said the special event aimed to appreciate and motivate the troops for their several successes on all fronts within the division’s AoR.
In line with the COAS’s command philosophy, which focuses on sound administration for the smooth and effective running of the Nigerian Army, he said they must continue to ensure that troops are well motivated to accomplish all statutory tasks.
He lamented that the threat pattern in the division’s AoR remained
fluid with some complexities.
The GOC, however, said the division has been and would continue
to remain focused and well-determined to ensure a more stable and conducive environment for law-abiding citizens to engage in lawful activities.
According to him, the division’s kinetic operations had so far resulted in
the rescue of several kidnapped victims and the elimination of several violent extremists and insurgents with their leaders in the recent past.
Saraso equally said that the division had unconditionally released several kidnapped victims through the division’s non-kinetic engagements. At the same time, several violent extremists and their leaders had also laid down their arms to embrace peace.
“It is worthy of mention that the security situation within our AoR has remained relatively calm due to these proactive responses, deterrence actions and counter-measures taken by our gallant troops, other security and intelligence agencies and support of the government of Kaduna state and the local populace,” the GOC said.
He, therefore, urged the troops not to rest on their oars but to re-energise and redouble their efforts to ensure that there was no haven for violent extremists and insurgents within the division’s AoR.
Saraso further urged them to continue mounting pressure on the violent extremists and insurgents to suffocate them and secure the entire AoR.
“The division must continue to be safer under my watch, as I remain confident that you, the gallant troops, in collaboration with other security and intelligence agencies, while the support of the government and good people of the state, will make it even safer,” Saraso said.
In his remarks, the Emir of Zazzau, Amb. Ahmed Bamalli also lauded the military’s efforts to restore peace and pledged support for achieving total peace.
Bamalli was represented by the District Head of Fatika, Lawal Umar.
