By Augustine Ehikioya
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS) of the Nigerian Army, Lieutenant General Faruk Yahaya has vowed that those who were involved in the security breach at the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) would not go unpunished.
He also pledged the support of the Federal Government to prevent future insecurity in the Academy.
The COAS gave the assurance when he paid a visit to NDA over the recent security breach in the Academy.
According to him, he was there to “Commiserate with the Commandant NDA, Major General Ibrahim Yusuf, and the NDA community.”
The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Lucky Irabor, had paid a similar solidarity visit to the Academy on 24 August, 2021.
The COAS, in a press statement by the Academy Public Relations Officer, Major Bashir Muhammad Jajira, made available to Security Watch Africa (SWA) on Wednesday, said “No matter how long it takes, the perpetrators of this heinous act would be brought to justice”.
He also said he was in the Academy “To obtain a firsthand brief on the recent security breach”.
Reassuring the Commandant and staff of the Academy of the Nigerian Army’s support and solidarity in the fight against insecurity, the COAS “Commended the Commandant, NDA, the GOC 1 Division, the Air Officer Commanding Air Training Command and heads of other security agencies in Kaduna State in the ongoing efforts to ensure the safe return of the abducted officer.”
The COAS while enjoining all officers, soldiers and civilian staff in the Academy to remain vigilant, said “The fight against insecurity must be a collective effort”.
He urged the Academy staff to remain loyal to the country, saying they should “not allow the unfortunate incident to deter them from their ultimate objective of grooming officer cadets for the Armed Forces of Nigeria”.
Also assuring the Academy, he said “The Nigerian Army would also provide the Academy with additional operational enablers to further enhance the security of the Academy”.
The Commandant, he said, should “not be deterred, but remain focus on the good job he is doing in the Academy”.
He also undertook an on-the-spot assessment of the scene of the incident before departing the Academy.
Delivering his welcome address, the Commandant “Briefed the COAS on the security breach into the Academy which occurred on 24 August, 2021”.
The statement continued, “The Commandant briefed the COAS on the new security measures being taken in collaboration with 1 Division, Nigerian Army, the Nigerian Air Force and other security agencies in Kaduna State to prevent any future security breach in the Academy.”
He said “that this incident has actually reinforced the cohesion of the entire Academy Community who have vowed to provide formidable support and prevent future occurrence.”
Expressing his appreciation to the COAS for his encouragement and support for the Academy before and after the incident, he noted, “particularly the efforts being made to ensure the safe return of the abducted officer”.
He thanked the COAS for “upgrading the Academy Demonstration battalion to a full-fledged battalion, provision of six gun trucks to the Academy, posting in of more instructors and staff, and the provision of other numerous operational enablers to enhance the security of the Academy and its environs”.
The Commandant informed the COAS that “these support measures have really boosted the morale of the staff and the security of the Academy.”
