*supports, encourages troops in counter insurgency, terrorism operations
By; SADIQ ABUBAKAR, Maiduguri
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt. Gen, Farouk Yahaya, has said that the Nigerian military will continue to create conducive environment for a free, credible and fair general election in 2023, to sustain the democracy in the country.
He also commended the Nigerian troops fighting the Boko Haram insurgency under Operation Hadin Kai for their sacrifices and successes recorded so far, recently in the counter insurgency against the Boko Haram insurgents ISWAP members.
The Army Chief stated this on Friday, while addressing officers of the Joint Task Force, ‘Operation Hadin Kai, Theater Command Headquarters, Maimalari Cantonment Maiduguri at the Officers Mess.
The COAS who met with the troops in Baga, Monguno, Maiduguri and other military formations within the theater command of Operation Hadin Kai, noted that he was in the theater command to encourage, motivate and boost the morale of the troops who have been doing a good job to meet with the mandate of the Nigerian military.
He also assured the officers and soldiers of his continuous support and encouragement in the counter insurgency, while applauding the doggedness and sacrifices of the troops.
General Yahaya also said that he was in the theatre for a routine visit, and to interact with troops on the frontline, to physically identify with any challenges confronting them, with a view to nipping such in the bud and to also boost the morale of troops in crushing remnants of Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists in the region.
General Yahaya further urged them be very vigilant and relate with their host communities to harness intelligent resources that will help them counter their enemies, which he described as miscreants, pointing out that, some of such criminals may be among the residents they live with.
He also charged them to work in synergy with the media who are critical stakeholders in national security, unity peace and stability as well operate within their professional ethics as professionals in information dissemination.
General Yahaya however, commended the media for their positive reportage and urged them to maintain the tempo by not giving their enemies publicity on their activities and promoting the activities of the Nigerian military in restoring peace in the state, region and country at large.
The COAS also commended the leadership of the Theater Commander, Major General Musa, and the General Officer Commanding (GOC), 7 Div, Nigerian Army, Major General Shaibu Waidi, and all other security services including the CJTF and vigilante groups as critical stakeholders in the fight against the miscreants.
He stressed that, “such sacrifices led to over 81,000 terrorists who have since surrendered to troops, including the relative peace currently witnessed in the North East sub region.”
General Yahaya further affirmed that the Nigerian Army under his leadership, will continue to be non-partisan in the discharge of its professional responsibilities to ensure free, fair, peaceful and credible elections come 2023.
He assured that the Nigerian Army would continue to work in synergy with the Nigerian Air Force, the Nigerian Navy, the Nigeria Police Force, other para-military agencies as well as the media to restore peace in the country.
He said, “I want to assure all Nigerians that the Army will remain impartial. We have witnessed previous elections, and the Nigerian Army will not deviate from its constitutional roles.
“We are going to create a conducive environment for a free and fair elections come 2023 to show the sustenance of democracy.
“The Nigerian Army would continue to work in synergy with the Nigerian Air Force, the Navy, the Police, other para-military agencies and the media to restore peace in the country,” Yahaya said.
He appreciated the role of the media in the fight against terrorism, kidnapping and other criminal activities across the country, while appealing to practitioners to sustain the good tempo, based on the ethics of their profession by changing the negative narrative to positive in the overall interest of the country.
