CHIEF OF ARMY STAFF VISITS 82 DIV ENUGU, CHARGES TROOPS TO CONTAIN INSECURITY
Reporter : CHRISTIAN NWANGENE
The Chief of Army Staff, Major General Farouk Yahaya, has reiterated the commitment of the Nigerian Army to the mandate by President Muhammadu Buhari to contain and apprehend those who have taken up arms against the nation.
Major General Yahaya, who stated this while on his maiden operational visit to Headquarters of 82 Division, Nigerian Army, Enugu said he was in coal city to receive first hand information on the ongoing operations of the military to tackle insecurity in the area.
“You’re aware about the happenings here and operations we’ve so far been conducting. So it’s only natural for the Chief of Army Staff to come here and see first-hand what’s happening here and to assess the progress made and appreciate the troops of what they’re doing.
“You’re aware about the happenings here and what we’ve so far achieved in our operations against this unscrupulous elements that have taken up arms against the state,” he said.
The Chief of Army Staff acknowledged that the war had not be worn yet, and noted that the Army had made significant progress in its operations to ensure that peace returned in the region.
“We’re not there yet, we will continue to pursue these criminals anywhere they go in-line with presidential mandate given to us to contain and apprehend all those who have taken up arms against the state and that we’re doing and we’re making progress,” Major Gen. Yahaya boasted.
The Army Chief commended the troops and other line agencies for their sacrifices to the nation and also charged them not to let their guards down in the battle against insecurity.
“I’ve charged the troops to continue not to rest on their oars, and to even achieve more and we’re, insha’allah, going to do that; we’re on the right course,” he declared.
Addressing the troops on the parade ground, the Army Chief assured them of the authorities’ readiness to address all the challenges they were facing on the job some of which he had been briefed on by the General Officer Commanding 82 Division, Major General Taoreed Abiodu Lagbaja.
He urged the officers and soldiers to remain loyal and professional in the discharge of their duties and emphasized that outstanding soldiers would receive commendation while those found wanting would be punished.
In a remark, the GOC 82 Division, Major General Lagbaja, assured the Chief of Army Staff of the loyalty of the soldiers in the current efforts to contain emerging security challenges in the country.
The GOC said the soldiers were determined to defend the nation and end insecurity in the country.
The COAS had earlier inaugurated a remodelled Quarter Guard building, which provides office and accomodation for troops on duty.