The Nigerian Army has assured citizens that there will be improved security across the country in 2022 and beyond.
It also vowed to stay off politics.
Faruk Yahaya, the Chief of Army Staff, gave the assurance at the closing of the Chief of Army Staff Conference in Abuja.
According to him, the Army remains committed to ensuring that peace returns to every part of the country in no distant time.
Yahaya said the conference was an opportunity to examine security issues plaguing the nation.
“Consequently, our focus for the coming year would be on developing capacities for improved performances across board.
“Emphasis will be placed on both individual and unit training that will enhance teamwork and professionalism.
“In this regard, I want to urge commandants of Nigerian Army and Corps schools to ensure they conduct realistic training in their various institutions to ensure our officers and soldiers are equipped with the right skills and competencies to confront all criminal elements in the various theatres of operations.
“I want to remind formation and unit commanders on the need to ensure systematic inspection of arms and ammunition as well as the various holding facilities.
“Additionally, the directive on the new procedure for the conduct of range classification exercise has been communicated to all participants for compliance.
“Thus, commanders must ensure that units under command adopt this new procedure which is aimed at ensuring accountability and security of controlled items in the Nigerian Army.
“In the conduct of our operations, commanders must be proactive and aggressive in order to defeat the adversary.
“Let me state at this point that we must ensure all our deployments in the theatres of operations are held in strength to defeat any attack.
“Commanders must also look at the possibilities of conducting a wide range of operations against bandits and terrorists.
“Furthermore, Commanders must ensure that their troops master the art of night operations and anti-ambush drills by engaging in effective night operations and anti-ambush drill training.
“We must take the fight to the adversary in order to neutralize and defeat them.
“Furthermore, commanders are also urged to develop contingency plans to ensure our forces always retain the initiative in all our theatres of operation.
“In that vein, commanders must plan for the possible increase in scope and dimension of the activities of violent state actors in the coming year.”
The Army chief restated his loyalty to the constitution and the president.
He said: “The Nigerian Army, under my leadership, will remain loyal to the Constitution and to Mr President.
“On behalf of the officers and soldiers of the Nigerian Army, I wish to most respectfully reassure Mr President of the unalloyed loyalty and commitment of the Nigerian Army to the defence of democratic governance in Nigeria.”
