…TASKS THEM TO ADHERE TO RULES OF ENGAGEMENT
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Faruk Yahaya, on Tuesday in Abuja, warned commanders not to be partisan but to adhere strictly to the Rules of Engagement (RoE), before, during, and after the forthcoming 2023, general elections.
The COAS appealed to them to try and sensitise personnel, and ensure that all soldiers deployed for security duties during the 2023 elections behalved professionally.
According to him, each of them should be given personal copies and thoroughly educated on the guidelines provided in the document of the Nigerian Army Rules of Engagement, and Code of Conduct as being reviewed for successful free and fair general elections.
General Yahaya gave the charge while declaring open the Chief of Army Staff 3rd Quarter Conference 2022 held at the Army Headquarters Command Officers Mess 1, Asokoro, Abuja.
The Third Quarter COAS Conference 2022, is an annual engagement that is in line with the Chief of Army Staff’s resolve to maintain constant interaction with field commanders as they all collectively continue to make improvements in military operations and other activities.
The COAS, in his remarks, stated that the Nigerian Army was strengthening its readiness to provide the necessary security assistance to ensure the successful conduct of the 2023 general elections.
According to General Yahaya, the Commanding Officers should see themselves as tactical commanders who lead or deploy the troops.
“Talking to them directly through the Conference is expected to improve their confidence, operational skills, and competencies and thus enhance the outcomes of our operations while the RSMs are well-respected fathers of their formations and units, custodians of NA ethics, customs and traditions, and regimentation”, he said.
The Army Chief promised the electorates that the army remains committed to discharging its constitutional responsibilities and assisting in providing a secured environment for the conduct of the general elections through ‘Operation SAFE CONDUCT’.
He praised all Commanders for a job well done in the implementation of the decisions taken during the last conference, adding that it’s evident in the successes recorded, especially in the ongoing operations across all theatres of conflicts.
“Our kinetic actions in the North East theatre of operations have continued to dismantle the cohesion of the insurgents resulting in massive surrenders of the terrorists.
“This has positively impacted the morale of troops and greatly bolstered the confidence of the citizens. Efforts must therefore be geared towards leveraging on the gains so far recorded to stamp out the miscreants permanently”, he said.
According to him, the recent successful hosting of the Nigerian Army Day Celebration in the South East has impacted positively on the security situation in the region even as the troops continue to take decisive actions against the secessionists.
He gave kudos to the troops deployed to the South-South region under ‘Operation DELTA SAFE’, stating that they have continued to perform creditably with the rejuvenated joint operations.
He said their actions have led to the arrest of several suspects and their sponsors adding that concerted efforts are ongoing to ensure that maximal revenue was derived by the country from its oil ventures in the South-South region.
“The Nigerian Army has also continued to contribute positively to the maintenance of security in the South West region, which generally remains relatively calm. Our offensive operations in the North West and North Central regions have also been intensified.
“Accordingly, troops in conjunction with the Nigerian Air Force have continued to neutralize bandits and destroy their hideouts under the recently launched onslaughts such as ‘Operation DESERT SANITY
“Our security arrangements in the region have been reinforced in collaboration with other security agencies, particularly in the wake of the unfortunate incursions by terrorists to the region.
“More successes are envisaged in the region in the days ahead as concerted efforts are been undertaken to track and apprehend the criminals as well as their sponsors”, he noted.
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