By Augustine Ehikioya
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja has tasked troops of the Nigerian Army to up their games and increase their operational tempo.
He specifically charged them to rise up to the security challenges in the North West region and go after the insurgents in their hideouts.
The Army Chief gave the directive when he embarked on a working tour of 17 Brigade Area of Responsibility in a deliberate effort to access and reinvigorate ongoing counter-terrorism/counter-insurgency operations in North West Nigeria.
The COAS, who arrived at the Headquarters 17 Brigade in Katsina with a team of Principal Staff Officers from the Army Headquarters on Friday 6 September, 2024, immediately received a brief on the security situation and operational disposition of the Brigade by the Commander, Brigadier General Babatunde Omopariola.
Addressing the troops, the COAS stated that in pursuit of his Command Philosophy to provide efficient leadership, sound administration, and operational effectiveness, the Nigerian Army (NA) has “initiated several welfare schemes to shore up the morale of troops by progressively improving the living standard and condition of personnel and their families.”
According to a statement by the Director Army Public Relations, Major General Onyema Nwachukwu, and made available to Security Watch Africa (SWA), he clarified that the attainment of these goals have been tenaciously pursued by commencing the payment of the backlog of Group Life Assurance scheme that had accumulated since 2017, as well as the Personnel Accident Insurance Scheme to NA beneficiaries.
Gen Lagbaja also pointed out that the NA has introduced the Affordable Housing Options for all Soldiers (AHOOAS) Post Service Housing Scheme to provide highly subsidized post service residential accommodation for personnel alongside ongoing massive rehabilitation of medical facilities, Barracks and infrastructure across NA formations and units in the country.
He added that the NA has initiated COAS Loan Schemes to economically empower personnel and their families. These he maintained are aside provision of several combat enablers to troops to enhance operations against the terrorists.
Gen Lagbaja also took time out to visit sick soldiers and their families at the 17 Brigade Medical Centre, where he gave immediate directive for installation of some essential medical equipment in the center.
He later laid a wreath in honour of troops who paid the supreme price in the fight against terrorists and bandits at the 17 Brigade Headquarters Cenotaph.
Meanwhile, the Governor of Katsina State, Dr Dikko Umar Radda has stated that security has progressively improved in the state with the return of farmers to their farmlands.
The Governor made this known when he received the COAS in the Katsina state Government house during a courtesy cum condolence visit to the Governor.
The Governor noted further that the state has witnessed a reduction in the menace and farmers are returning to their farms.
He attributed the development to the synergy and joint effort of all the security agencies.
Governor Dikko appealed to the communities not to relent in supporting the troops with credible information, stressing that without the cooperation of the communities, the ongoing operations will not succeed.
The COAS had earlier in his remarks pointed out that he was on an assessment tour of ongoing operations, state of infrastructure and Civil-Military Cooperation activities in the Brigade.
He expressed appreciation to the Government and people of Katsina state for their support to the NA and particularly to troops of 17 Brigade.
The COAS equally paid a courtesy call on His Royal Highness Alhaji Dr Abdulmumuni Kabir Usman, Emir of Katsina, where he acknowledged the critical role of the traditional institution in mobilizing the people to support the troops in order to completely stamp out security threats and challenges.
Also in Katsina, the COAS has described the passing of Hajiya Dada Yar Adua as a loss of one of the legendary and virtous matriarchs of the Nigerian Army family.
Gen Lagbaja made this known when he paid a condolence visit to the Chairman Senate Committee on Army, Senator Abdulazeez Yar Adua and other members of the bereaved family during his working tour of 17 Brigade.
The Army Chief noted that officers and soldiers of the Nigerian Army share in the grief and pains of the Yar Aduas as a family that gave two illustrous sons to the Nigerian Army.
He prayed to God to grant the family and the people of Katsina the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.
