By Augustine Ehikioya
Boosting troops’ welfare, the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Faruk Yahaya, has commissioned 13 blocks of self contained accommodation for soldiers and their families at 223 Battalion, Dakkarawa Barracks, Zuru in Kebbi State.
He commissioned the project on Wednesday 4 May, 2022, while continuing his operational tour of 8 Division Area of Responsibility in the North West.
This was contained in a statement issued by the Director Army Public Relations, Brigadier General Onyema Nwachukwu, and made available to Security Watch Africa (SWA).
At the commissioning ceremony, Gen Yahaya said that his visit was to assess the current security situation and troops’ readiness, as well as obtain first hand information on the state of infrastructure in the barracks.
He added, that having inspected the Barracks, he was determined to provide requisite infrastructural development that will enhance the welfare of troops and their families in the Barracks.
General Yahaya also assured the Barracks community that “additional 12 blocks will be renovated and remodelled, aside a mini water work that will be constructed to mitigate the perennial water shortage in the Barracks.”
The intervention, he said, was necessitated by his drive to “create a conducive environment for soldiers’ families to enable troops effectively carryout their duties in the right frame of mind where ever they are deployed.”
The Army Chief urged the troops “to intensify ongoing operations against the bandits and other criminals in their area of responsibility.”
He also paid an obeisance visit to His Royal Highness, the Emir of Zuru, Major General Muhammadu Sani Sami (rtd), where he commended the Royal father for his support to troops.
He called on the traditional institution to work hand in gloves with the Nigerian Army and other security agencies to defeat banditry.
Responding, the highly revered monarch assured the Army Chief of his continuous support to restore normalcy in his domain.