As part of efforts to tackle the prevailing security challenges confronting the country, the Nigerian Army has taken delivery of more sophisticated platforms and war equipment for its operations.
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Tukur Baratai, disclosed this at the opening of the Chief of Army Staff’s combined first, second and third quarters conference, on Tuesday in Maiduguri.
Buratai disclosed that while some of the platforms were procured from foreign sources, some were sourced locally through local ingenuity and collaborations.
He said, “To this end, the Nigerian army recently took delivery of key platforms to reinvigorate our operations.
“These include the VT4 and FT1 tanks, the KIA light tactical vehicles as well as the SH2 and SH5 self-propel artillery guns.
“Post treatment training is ongoing on this equipment and they would soon be inducted into the theatre.
“The Nigerian Army received some armoured personnel carrier from Jordan and we are expecting the delivery of other major capabilities.
“Furthermore, through local ingenuity, Nigerian Army facilitated the production and delivery of the pro-force MRAPs, Ezugwu MRAPS as well as the Conqueror and Champion barriers.
“Despite teething challenges in the new innovation, these platforms have no doubt enhanced the effectiveness of our troops across various theatres.
“We will continue to work assiduously to ensure that we support all operations with equipment and platforms”.
The COAS tasked commanders to ensure judicious deployment of the assets in order to justify the huge resources expended on them by the Federal Government.
He said the ongoing operations in different parts of the country to curtail the activities of criminals had witnessed tremendous successes.
Gen Buratai said the military had done well in curtailing the activities of insurgents, armed bandits, kidnappers and cattle rustlers, as well as farmer-herder clashes and other crimes.
He urged the field commanders to sustain the tempo of operation to ensure the total decimation of all the inimical forces across the country.
According to Buratai, the Nigerian Army had done well in operation Lafiya Dole and the recently launched operation Sahel Sanity in the North West to rid the Katsina, Zamfara, corridors of marauding bandits.
“Similarly, operation Hadarim Daji is very active in other parts of the 8 Division area of operation in order to curb incessant farmers and herders’ clashes.
Similarly, the COAS commended the officers and men of Nigerian Army for the display of professionalism during the Sept. 19 governorship election in Edo.
He said that the performance of officers and men of the Nigerian army during the election was adjudged satisfactory and highly commended by all sections of the society.
Buratai said their conduct was in tune with his strategic directive for 2020 which is ‘’To Sustain the Professionalism and Responsiveness of the Nigerian Army in the Discharge of its Constitutional Roles’’.
He said he was happy that his directive on professional conduct was permeating through the ranks as was evident during the recent conduct of Operation Safe Conduct in Edo State.
“On this note, I want to congratulate the GOC, officers and men of the 2 Division Nigerian Army for their professional conduct during the Edo State election.
“This is the standard that must be upheld always and I expect nothing less in the coming Ondo State governorship election on the 10th of October.
“We must continue to chart progressive paths towards tackling the security challenges confronting the nation,’’ he said.
Buratai also stated that the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic impacted on the activities of Nigerian army, adding that it was however, able to quickly adjust with minimal disruptions of its operations.
He said the pandemic was also responsible for his inability to host the conference in the first and second quarters hence the need to combine the three quarters.
According to him, this combined conference will enable us to appraise the level of implementation of the Nigerian army focus for the year 2020 and the year 2020 training directive.
“The conference will also afford the opportunity to hold discussions on current operational, administrative and logistics matters as well as other security issues that are crucial to the sovereignty of our dear country.
It is quite evident that the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted the implementation of Nigerian Army forecast of events for 2020 and by extension my training directives for the year.
“However, it afforded us the opportunity to test some of our concepts and plans accordingly,’’ he said.
Buratai disclosed that the Nigerian army provided supports to the civil authorities in managing the pandemic in compliance with the request by the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19.
He added that he also directed the activation of Operation Second Eleven to forestall any break down of law and order across the country.
Also, our medical personnel were trained as part of the national effort at containing the pandemic and some Nigerian army medical facilities were designated as isolation centres.
“Various personal protective equipment were also procured and distributed to all formations and units including the various theatres of operations.
“The low incidence of COVID-19 outbreak among troops and in army barracks is a testament to the effectiveness of the proactive steps that we took at the onset of the pandemic.
“However, I am sure that we will have course during the conference to review our actions with a view to identifying strategies for addressing similar challenges in the future,’’ he said.
The Chief of Policy and Plans, Army, Lt.-Gen. Lamidi Adeosun, said the COAS’ strategic directive for 2020 had enabled the Nigerian Army to play critical role in the management of COVID-19 pandemic.
Adeosun said the full application of the directive by the commanders in various operations across the country had further endeared the Nigerian Army to the citizenry and made it a pride of the nation.
“This conference is therefore an opportunity for us to appraise our activities in the first, second and third quarters of the year and refine strategies toward impending operations and activities in the fourth quarter.
“I enjoy you all to raise issue and points that would address our operational and administrative challenges and also lead to informed decisions that will enhance the performance of NA in the discharge of its constitutional duties,’’ he said.
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