Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen Faruk Yahaya has directed all General Officers Commanding, Corp Commanders, Commanders of Theaters of Operations, Brigade and other Formation Commanders to remain apolitical while ensuring that troops under command obey the directive.
He stated this at the Second Quarter Chief of Army Conference which commenced on Tuesday, June 14, in Abuja.
The COAS noted that in a bid to implementing this directive, he has ordered a review of the rules of Engagement for conduct of Operation Safe Conduct.
While addressing the Senior Officers, he said:
Let me hasten to remind us that the nation is currently preparing for general elections. All personnel must remain apolitical while providing enabling and secured environment for electoral processes to thrive.
In this regard, I directed the review of Rules of Engagement and Code of Conduct for Operation Safe Conduct and the approved guidelines would be conveyed to you soon. The Nigerian Army will continue to enhance its Civil- Military relations efforts and provide the necessary support in aid of the civil authority.
Speaking about the achievements of the army in collaboration with other security agencies, he stated:
Accordingly, we have confronted all forms of criminalities in collaboration with our sister Services and other security agencies. The level of cooperation and professionalism exhibited by our sister Services and other security agencies in furtherance of this effort has been heartwarming. This has led to the achievement of several successes across various theatres of operation in the country.
In the North East troops of Operation Hadin Kai have sustained the onslaught against the terrorists leading to the clearance of the several criminal enclaves and the surrendering of large numbers of insurgents and their families.
General Faruk added:
Concerted effort has also been made to contain and checkmate the secessionist activities in the South East and illegal oil bunker activities in the South – South. The South West has remained relatively calm while our reinvigorated operations across North Central and North West theatres are also yielding positive results.
The Nigerian Army has continued to make giant strides in infrastructural development. Our unwavering commitment to ensure adequate accommodation can be seen in the number of commissioned living quarters for troops and several ongoing renovation works in various barracks across the country
He further explained:
Recently, several formations, including the Army Headquarters Garrison have commissioned befitting accommodation for Regimental Sergeant Majors. This gesture has certainly raised the morale of the troops and bolstered their aspirations while on the job. We will continue to upgrade the infrastructure in the barracks, improve the overall health care of the personnel and their families and strengthen the current welfare packages to the benefit of our personnel.
The successes achieved in our operations were no doubt facilitated by the commitment of the political leadership toward enhancing operational competences of the Nigerian Army as well as our general logistics, welfare, and wellbeing of the troops.
He also commended the President of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari for his strategic guidance, for the confidence he always reposes in the Nigerian Army and for always standing with us in the provision of funds for the procurement of new platforms, and other support and requirements.
