By Augustine Ehikioya
To coordinate all Nigerian Army operational engagements, the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Faruk Yahaya, on Monday commissioned newly constructed Nigerian Army (NA) ultra modern Operations Centre.
The new Centre, which is situated at the Army Headquarters Complex, will control all engagements across theatres of operations nationwide.
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).
Gen Yahaya, according to the statement, expressed gratitude to the former COAS, who is currently Nigeria’s Ambassador to the Republic of Benin, Ambassador, Lt Gen (rtd) Tukur Yusufu Buratai for his “foresight in conceiving the project.”
The new Operations Centre, Gen Yahaya said, will serve as a Command Centre, Situation Room, as well as Operational Briefing Centre for the NA.
“Gen Yahaya used the medium to express appreciation to the President, Commander-In-Chief of the Armed Forces of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari for his untiring support to the NA.
“He averred that the Nigeria Army is better poised to fight insecurity in the country.”
Ambassador Buratai, at the occasion, expressed delight with the completion of the project.
“He added that the earlier design of the edifice has been improved upon by the COAS, with several value additions upgrading the capabilities of the centre to international standard.
“He emphasized that its configuration was more befitting and highly professional in standard.
“The Ambassador plenipotentiary also pointed out that planning and execution are very critical in the success of military operations, stressing, that to have a befitting ultra modern Operations Centre is an indication of NA’s dynamism, seriousness and commitment to professionally perform its constitutional roles.”
He urged the Nigerian Army to continue to operate in jointness with sister services and security agencies to fully attain its constitutional mandate.
Delivering the welcome address earlier, the Chief of Operations (Army), Major General Olufemi Akinjobi noted that the Centre is equiped with state of the art facilities, that will enable it serve tripartite functions of Command Centre, Situation Room and Operations Briefing Facility.
These, he said, will afford the Army Headquarters an enhanced reach and capability to “quickly intervene, direct and influence ongoing operations.”
Major highlight of the ceremony was the demonstration of the capabilities and potentials of the centre.