Lt.-Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, Chief of Army Staff (COAS), says the Nigerian Army is competent to tackle the increasingly complex security challenges facing the nation.
The COAS committed at the opening ceremony of the maiden Senior Command and leadership seminar on Tuesday in Lafia, Nasarawa State.
The seminar was organised by the Army 4 Special Forces, Doma, Nasarawa State, for senior officers to equip them with the necessary technical know-how to combat contemporary security challenges.
The COAS represented by Maj.-Gen. Abubakar Sadiq-Ndalolo, Chief of Training Army, Army Headquarters Abuja, said that troops were the cream of actors at the forefront of actualising his command philosophy.
He appreciated the troops for their sacrifices and efforts in maintaining peace and security and promised to continue to prioritize their welfare by providing them with the necessary training and equipment to operate.
Lt.-Gen. Oluyede emphasised that the seminar was a platform designed to equip the participants with the necessary skills and competency to uphold and protect the esteemed image of the army amidst the increasingly complex security environment.
He added that the theme of the seminar, ‘Enhancing Operational Level Command and Leadership within a Joint Environment, was significant in tackling the current insecurity.
He said that the contemporary security environment is characterised by asymmetric threats, including insurgency, banditry, farmers-herders clashes, kidnapping, militancy and terrorism across borders of many nations.
He further said that the troops are recording a lot of successes and would be equipped with the necessary and modern equipment, training, tactics, and strategies to sustain the feats.
“We will establish a standard special forces training school in Doma, Nasarawa State, and provide other necessary combat training blocks and equipment across the country.
“The Nigerian Army must be prepared to confront these challenges head-on, using innovative tactics and strategies, to defeat those causing havoc in the country,” he emphasised.
He, therefore, urged the troops to remain loyal and committed to the Nigerian Army’s core values of discipline, professionalism, and selflessness.
On his part, Mag.-Gen. Hilary Nzan, Commander of Army 4 Special Forces, Doma, said that the seminar was designed to equip the officers with the requisite skills and knowledge to succeed in the contemporary dynamic security environment.
He added that the special forces are building on their existing collaboration with other agencies because the contemporary security challenges are dynamic and transient within the borders of any nation or agency.
The commander expressed optimism that the comprehensive approach and collaboration with other stakeholders is capable of addressing the present security challenges and would also help in tackling future problems.
The commander said the army would not relent in its quest to defeat any threat to national security and the territorial integrity of the nation.
Also, speaking at the event, Gov. Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State appreciated the military and other security agencies for their efforts toward ensuring peace in the state and beyond.
The governor represented by his Deputy, Emmanuel Akabe, promised to continue to support the security agencies with operational vehicles and other logistics to ensure their smooth operation. (NAN).