The Chief of Army Staff of Nigeria, Lieutenant General Faruk Yahaya, has warned criminal elements and fifth columnists not to engage in activities that could threaten the integrity of the nation. He gave the warning at the COAS First Quarter Conference 2023 held at the Army Headquarters Command Officers’ Mess 1, Asokoro, Abuja.
The COAS declared that the conference was an opportunity to interact with field commanders and appraise NA operations in the first quarter of the year, with the aim of improving the performance of troops in ongoing operations across the country. He highlighted some of the modest achievements of the NA in the first quarter of 2023, including the satisfactory performance of troops during Operation SAFE CONDUCT, the operationalisation of maneuver Brigades across the country, improved Civil Military Cooperation activities, infrastructural development across formations of the NA, procurement of modern platforms and improved training aids, and the establishment of the Department of Personnel Management to manage soldiers’ careers.
General Yahaya commended officers and men of the NA for their commitment and successes in collaboration with sister services and other security agencies. He praised their efforts in incrementally shoring up crude oil production to about 1.3 million barrels per day and denying terrorists and insurgents freedom of action, resulting in the massive surrender of BH/ISWAP terrorists in the northeast. The COAS expressed appreciation to the Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces of Nigeria, President Muhammadu Buhari, for his strategic guidance and direction.
The Chief of Policy and Plan (Army), Major General Anthony Omozoje, highlighted that the operational successes attained so far were due to the visionary leadership of the NA and the collective commitment and professional disposition of troops. The COAS presented 14 new Toyota Hilux vehicles to Army Warrant Officers who have attained the pinnacle of their soldiering career, commissioned the Faruk Yahaya Historical Park located in Manbilla Barracks, Asokoro Abuja, and showcased the research and development efforts of the NA in an exhibition during the conference.