Lt-Gen Farouk Yahaya, the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), has declared full-scale war on armed bandits, ordering soldiers to kill them and bring their bodies and weapons: “In dealing with the bandits, I have ordered the troops to be more resolute and deceitful.” I’ve urged them to keep going with their efforts.”
When he visited the 31st Artillery Brigade, he gave the charge.
Minna, Niger State: Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC). He also dedicated the TRADOC Officers Transit Accommodation, the New Training and Doctrine Command Arms Store, and the Nigeria Army Officers Wives Association, Minna Military Cantonment chapter’s Nursery and Primary School.
“That is what we will continue to do,” he said, urging troops not to give up and to keep fighting the bandits in a deceptive manner. The Army will continue to motivate troops by providing them with the resources they need to provide security in the troubled states and throughout Nigeria.”
He said the visit would allow him to learn about their challenges and encourage them to do their best for the country’s benefit. He appealed to citizens for help in obtaining the funds.
With credible information, the Army and other security agencies will be able to deal with the criminals: “I implore everyone to lend a hand in getting accurate information to the Army and other security agencies.” Many of these criminals live among us. I want the general public to operate and understand that security is everyone’s responsibility. We’ll be able to improve what we’re doing with synergy.”
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NAF) is reviewing safety strategies for air operations.
The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) will continue to review and evaluate key safety strategies affecting the service, according to Chief of Air Staff (CAS) Air Marshal Oladayo Amao, to ensure that “it remains a credible reference point for the maintenance of high safety standards.” He was speaking at the opening of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) Safety Review Board (SRB) meeting for 2021, which just ended in Abuja.
The meeting allowed the service to assess and evaluate its safety practices and procedures in order to improve operational effectiveness and efficiency.
Flight safety, according to Amao, should be ingrained in all NAF daily activities as a highly technical service that operates sophisticated aircraft, equipment, and military hardware. The meeting, he said, was centered on the steps taken by various NAF units to address safety issues raised by the standing NAF Safety Audit Committee, which was established earlier this year to chart a path forward in maintaining high safety standards in aircraft operations: “The meeting should serve as a veritable platform for addressing all safety concerns in order to proffer realistic and lasting solutions to flight safety issues.” The meeting’s overall goal should be to make the NAF a safer, more effective, and efficient instrument of national power.”
“The SRB, as the designated safety management body, is tasked with appropriating safety policies and guidelines for the entrenchment of safety culture in the NAF,” said Air Vice Marshal (AVM) Olusegun Philip, Chief of Standards and Evaluation (COSE). In the last six months, about 100 NAF personnel have attended various safety courses both inside and outside the country.
“Efforts are underway to collaborate with the US Air Force to organize an in-country safety management training for more NAF personnel before the end of the year,” says the statement.
He said that training activities at the Nigerian Air Force Institute of Safety, which had been suspended since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, would soon resume with new courses to broaden the scope of the NAF’s safety education. Through effective monitoring and evaluation, he urged members of the SRB to continue to support all safety activities across the entire NAF strata.
Former military heads of state praise the Nigerian Army in the face of insecurity
General Ibrahim Babangida, Nigeria’s former military president, has expressed confidence in the Nigerian Army’s ability to address the country’s security challenges under the leadership of Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt-Gen Faruk Yahaya.
He claimed that the COAS and his team were capable of quickly restoring peace and stability to the country. When the COAS paid him a visit at his Hill Top residence in Minna, Niger State, he revealed this.
“The NA has put up tremendous efforts to tackle the security challenges since the COAS assumed command,” he said, adding that the country was dealing with security threats in some parts of the country.
COAS “assumed command at a time when the nation is confronted with multifaceted security challenges,” according to former Head of State Gen Abdulsalami Abubakar. He was, however, pleased with the “COAS’ unwavering commitment to confronting the challenges head-on on all fronts.”
He praised him for involving key stakeholders in the never-ending search for public support and cooperation in order to effectively improve ongoing counter-insurgency operations. COAS has been praised by Abubakar for his “pragmatic leadership” in visiting military formations and theaters of operations to engage and motivate troops. He urged officers in the NA’s junior leadership to model themselves after the COAS’s exemplary leadership qualities.
Governor Abubakar Sani-Bello recently urged Nigerians and residents of the state to support the Nigerian Armed Forces and other security agencies in ongoing anti-banditry, counter-insurgency, and counter-terrorism operations. When COAS paid him a courtesy visit, he made the call.
Without security, the governor claimed, there would be a lack of socioeconomic development. He urged all key stakeholders and well-intentioned Nigerians to support and work with the military and other security agencies in the fight against banditry and other security threats. He assured the COAS that his government would work with him to reduce insecurity.
“The visit to the two former Heads of State and the governor was not solely to pay homage, but to interface with them in an effort to squarely address security challenges,” the COAS said.
“The Armed Forces of Nigeria and other security agencies will overcome the current security challenges with the right support and cooperation from key stakeholders and the citizenry.”
The theatre commander has given the youth of the barracks the task of being positive.
Major General Christopher Musa, the Theatre Commander (TC) of Joint Task Force North East Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK), has urged barrack youths to remain positive, resolute, and contribute their fair share to the country’s overall development as future leaders.
He was speaking at the Lt-Col BU Umar Sport Complex, Maimalari Cantonment, Maiduguri, Borno State, where the inaugural edition of the Theatre Commander’s Ball Games dubbed “Barrack Youths Tournament 2021” was flagged off.
“It will also be used as an avenue to select good sports men and women to represent the barracks community in future sporting activities in the state, especially as peace is building up throughout the North East,” he said of the tournament.
“I want you to look at this as an opportunity to showcase yourself, play to protect yourself, and play fairly to showcase the talent you have,” he said to the crowd.
“We are anticipating a fantastic performance from all of you. We’re hoping to field a team from each of the events to represent the canton in future sporting events.”
“The tournament is to foster unity among the youth, build their self-esteem and social interactions, to make them responsible, disciplined, and develop their sense of confidence, as well as to discover their talents in various sports,” said Major Adebayo Oloruntoba, Acting Assistant Director, Physical Training, 7 Division.
“A total of 18 teams will compete in various sporting events such as football, volleyball, and basketball over the course of the five-day event, which will culminate on November 27 with the announcement of winners and the presentation of awards to deserving teams and officials.”
The army is preparing to combat post-traumatic stress disorder.
The Nigerian Army has held a seminar on Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) to address the rising number of PTSD cases among its officers and soldiers. The Army Headquarters, Department of Transformation and Innovation organized the event with the theme “Mental Health Awareness, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder in Perspective.”
Lt-Gen Faruk Yahaya, the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), said that engagements in various operations often result in PTSD.
Security agencies had to deploy troops in various operations to contain the situation, he said, due to the myriad of emerging security threats in the country.
COAS, who was represented by Major General Olufemi Akinjobi, Chief of Operations (Army), said their participation in those operations resulted in high casualty rates, injuries, equipment damage, accumulated stress, and other mental disorders such as PTSD. “This inaugural seminar is a step in the right direction to raise awareness about PTSD among troops,” he said. This aligns with my command’s philosophy of putting the Nigerian soldier first.
“It is hoped that raising awareness of disorder at the strategic level will aid in the formulation of the best strategy for managing the welfare and administration of affected troops.”
“The seminar’s second phase will focus on PTSD awareness and management campaigns for units and formations in various operational theaters.” This is based on our efforts to realize my vision of a professional Nigerian Army capable of carrying out assigned missions in a joint environment in the defense of Nigeria. As a result, I implore you all to make a concerted effort in this seminar to generate new creative ideas that will improve our field performance.” He praised officers and soldiers for their commitment and service in various theaters, promising to continue to provide the resources and guidance they need to succeed.
Major General Charles Ofoche, the Chief of Transformation and Innovation, said the seminar was held to raise awareness about the rising incidences of Acute Stress Reaction, Acute Stress Disorder, and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder among troops, as well as their effects on military operations:
“The Nigerian Army aimed to raise commander awareness of the stress syndrome in order to reduce operational risks, improve efficiency, and improve operational effectiveness.”
“Without a doubt, this forum will provide us with the necessary and necessary opportunity to freely interact, discuss, share ideas, and rub minds on issues relating to Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, particularly in order to achieve the Seminar’s objectives.”
