The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Olufemi Oluyede has warned terrorists and all enemies of Nigeria, asserting that their failure is inevitable and their boasts lack value.
During the Interdenominational Church Service, he warned to mark the Nigerian Army Day Celebration (NADCEL) 2025, on Sunday in Abuja.
Oluyede reaffirmed the Nigerian Army’s determination to eliminate terrorism and ensure national security through effective counterterrorism strategies.
He reiterated the Nigerian army’s commitment to safeguarding Nigeria’s sovereignty, protecting its territorial integrity, and upholding the rights of all citizens.
“We shall never depart from our honour, which is tied to our faith, and we will continue to live true to the Nigerian Army motto, ‘Victory is from God Alone. To all those who seek to disrupt the sanctity of our freedom, our heritage of liberty and our enduring democracy, be assured that your failure is inevitable and your boast lacks value.
“The Nigerian Army will continue to collaborate with all stakeholders to foster a joint and multi-agency environment to effectively deliver our mandate of securing our beloved nation,” he said.
The COAS said the tradition of NADCEL provided an opportunity to commemorate the army’s establishment and reflect on the sacrifices, resilience, and selfless commitment of its officers and soldiers in service to the nation.
According to him, it is also a time to remember and honour our brave heroes who fell in the line of duty and our dear families who bear our absence, loss, and scars of service.
“The time-honoured tradition of commencing the Nigerian Army Day Celebration schedule of events with the Jumat Prayers and Interdenominational Church Services symbolises our humble acknowledgement of the divine role of the Almighty in all our affairs.
“This stems from the prevalence of faith and hope being the tenets of moral guidance and emotional stability that reinforce ethical behaviour and motivate us all to act honourably during operations,” he added.
Oluyede said the Nigerian army commemorates 162 years of dedicated service, which shows its forebears’ deep-rooted patriotism and valour.
He said the church service was significant, saying the sanctuary was where they drew strength and had hope for tomorrow.
“So we have come here today to thank God for his mercy, and we expect that he will protect us in the future so that we can secure Nigeria better. And with that, we expect Nigeria to come out better and greater, and I would like to tell all Nigerians that they should have hope.
“The Nigerian army belongs to all Nigerians, and security is for all. We expect them to give us their maximum support so that we can do our jobs better,” he said.
In his sermon, Lt.-Col. Martins Amuluche, the Acting Director of Chaplain Services (Protestant), emphasised the importance of loyalty, urging soldiers to remain committed to God and uphold their faith and values.
Amuluche also urged them to remain dedicated to the Nigerian army while serving the country with integrity and patriotism.
He also highlighted the need for the Army to prioritise the welfare of its soldiers, suggesting that a transformed army begins with caring for its personnel.
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