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From Molly Kilete, Abuja
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Lieutenant General Farouk Yahaya, Monday, said Nigeria recorded its highest rating in the fight against terrorism in 2022 since 2011.
Yahaya, who made this known at the opening of the COAS first quarter conference in Abuja, said that the efforts in Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK) in synergy with the sister services and other security agencies had significantly reduced terrorism and insurgency which hitherto bedeviled the North East part of the country.
Gen Yahaya said that the continuous injection of trained troops and special equipment through Operations Lake Sanity and Desert Sanity to complement efforts by OPHK had been rewarding.
The army Chief while noting that the insurgents, terrorists and other criminals no longer have freedom of movement and action they used to, said they have been forced to surrender massively to troops at various theatre of operations.
While commending the federal government for providing the necessary equipment for the Nigerian army to carry out its operations, said “These efforts, expectedly have enhanced troops poise and greatly improved the security situation and public confidence in the North East.
“In the past 11 years, from 2011 to date, Nigeria recorded its highest rating against terrorism last year, 2022.
“This is indeed a commendable effort and achievement by all of you, the other sister services, stakeholders and indeed our able predecessors.”
The army Chief who said the Nigerian army was channeling its efforts at consolidating on the successes recorded in its operations with a view to completely wipe out the insurgents who fail to surrender, said that the outcome of the 2022 COAS Annual Conference in the North/West region of the Country had created the necessary impact that had continued to improve the success of army operations in the region.
He said the intensified offensive operations to eliminate bandits and other criminal elements in the regions had also yielded positive results adding that the Nigerian army troops deployed for Operations Hadarin Daji and Forest Sanity have projected forces and intensified offensives to clear bandit enclaves.
“These operations have destroyed criminal hideouts, neutralized several bandits and subjected the remaining elements to situations where they are mostly either targeting civilians or on the run,” he said.
“We must therefore maintain the tempo and leave no stone unturned to sustain these commendable efforts.
“The peaceful conduct of the last general elections across the country including in spite of the sense of insecurity created by criminal elements in the South East region, was a testament to army’s resolve to ensure security in the nation.
“This, according to him, was made possible through successful conduct of Operation Safe Conduct 2023 across the nation which saw the Nigerian army along with the other services and agencies ensuring successful general elections.’’
He said additional efforts through Joint Task Force Operation UDO KA paid off in the South East.
He said this had resulted successful elections in the region; though IPOB/ESN and their supporters had threatened that there would be no elections in the zone.
“The elections or no election neither IPOB nor ESN nor any other group, groups or individuals should threaten the integrity of this Nation as enshrined in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“Accordingly, elections were therefore held in the South East and successfully too, just like in other parts of the country.
“Generally, our operations and decisive actions against the criminal elements have impacted positively on the security situation in the region, giving confidence to law abiding citizens in the South East.
“The Nigerian army will continue to perform its constitutional roles in collaboration with the sister services and other security agencies as well as civil authorities in the region,” he said.
He commended officers and soldiers over their professional conduct and apolitical disposition as well as their strict adherence to his directives and guidance during the just concluded general elections, saying that various groups, organisations and distinguished individuals had commended troops’ efforts during the elections.
He equally commended the concerted efforts, commitments and dedication to duty by field commanders, officers and soldiers to ensure successes in various operations across the country.
The COAS urged participants at the conference to make deliberate efforts and come up with genuine and frank opinions and suggestions, and painstakingly evaluate the ongoing operations, just as he directed that deliberations should be focused on achieving the overall objective of better re-positioning the Nigerian army to deliver on its constitutional roles.
Earlier in his address, the Chief of Policy and Plans (Army), Major General Anthony Omozoje, while noting that the conference was organized to consolidate on the successes attained so far in all army activities, said that conscious efforts would be made to appraise all operations with a view to finding better ways of improving on their successes.
He said the interactions during the conference would focus on achieving the overall objective of better re-positioning the Nigerian army to deliver on its constitutional roles.
The army chief used the occasion to present a total of 14, Toyota Hilux vehicles to deserving Army Warrant Officers as their official vehicle, unveiled some locally produced Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) Vehicles manufactured by the Defence Industries Cooperation of Nigeria and partners for army operations and inaugurated the Faruk Yahaya Historical Park.
