The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Faruk Yahaya, has challenged troops of 1 Division Nigerian Army to be ingenious in their training and operational engagements to effectively tackle banditry and all other forms of insecurity in their area of responsibility.
The Director, Army Public Relations, Brig.-Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu, in a statement on Thursday, disclosed that Yahaya made the call while on operational tour of the Division in Kaduna.
The COAS, who was received and conducted round the operational areas by the General Officer Commanding (GOC), 1 Division, Maj.-Gen. Kabiru Mukhtar, described the emerging security threats as real.
He directed the troops to decisively deal with bandits, kidnappers and other criminal elements threatening the security of the nation.
Yahaya also urged them to remain committed to ensuring the security of lives and property of the citizenry.
He maintained that it was crucial for officers and soldiers to always cultivate cordial civil-military relations with members of their host communities and the general public as critical stakeholders and catalyst for operational successes.
The Army Chief, however, warned the troops against indulging in any act inimical to ongoing operations while affirming his resolve to promptly address cogent challenges confronting the troops in the execution of their tasks.
He also presented a brand new Toyota Hilux to the Regimental Sergeant Major (RSM) of Headquarters 1 Division, Master Warrant Officer, Auwalu Taudo, in furtherance of his commitment to empowering and enhancing the functionality of RSMs in Nigerian army.
Yahaya said the presentation of vehicles to RSMs was targeted at restoring the prestige associated with the office of the RSM as custodians of regimentation and discipline in Nigerian army.
He added that RSMs played vital roles in grooming and shaping the regimental lives of young officers and soldiers.
