Army Chief Tasks Personnel On Commitment, Strategies To End Insurgency, Banditry

The Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, on Thursday, charged troops of the Nigerian Army not to allow the current setbacks in the war against insurgency to dampen their moral, but to develop commitment, sacrifices and practical strategies towards defeating terrorists, bandits and other criminal elements troubling the country.

Lt.-Gen. Oluyede stated this in Maiduguri, Borno State at the 2025 Bi-Annual Army Conference where he unveiled new vanquish armoured tankers which were handed over to the Theatre Commander North-East Operation Hadin Kai, Major General Abdulsalam Abubakar.

LEADERSHIP reports that the conference was coming at the time some parts of the North-East, especially Borno State, was witnessing renewed attacks by Boko Haram/ISWAP, among other criminal incidents.

The representative of the tankers’ manufacturers, Engr Ishaku Duwa said each of the new armoured tankers has night goggle vision, and can move for over 80kms on flat tyres, with all suspension change and 360° degrees protection.

Declaring the Conference open at the Command Guest House, Maimalari Cantonment in Maiduguri, the COAS said the gathering would deliver on strategic foresight, operational alignment and convergence of military and community engagements.

He pointed out that during the 3-day deliberations, the Army would identify areas for improvement and develop practical solutions that would strengthen effectiveness in safeguarding the nation’s peace and security.

Oluyede further assured of the commitment of the Nigerian Army towards aligning the kinetic and non-kinetic operations, considering the dynamic nature of the operating environment.

He maintained that despite the renewed pockets of attacks in parts of the country, there was no cause for alarm, assuring that the Nigerian Army and other security agencies were fully committed to bringing lasting peace and development under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope agenda.

“Recall that during the Chief of Army Staff Annual Conference 2024, I acknowledged the need for the Nigerian Army to commit towards aligning our kinetic and non-kinetic operations with the dynamic nature of the operating environment.

“It is evident that the terrorists have adopted new strategies that are aimed at shaping the battlespace in their favour.

“We have recorded a number of incidents where our brave warriors have paid the supreme sacrifice in the performance of their legitimate duty. The loss of these brave men is deeply regrettable and serves as a painful reminder of the depth of sacrifice that the officers and men of the Nigerian Army continue to make in the defence of our great nation, Nigeria.

“However, we must not allow these setbacks to dampen our spirit or diminish our collective resolve to stamp out that, which seeks to ridicule the sanctity of our sovereignty.

“As the Nigerian Army continues to prioritise its efforts for the best possible results, the ability to collaborate with the Nigerian Navy, the Nigerian Air Force, other security agencies and institutions at the federal and state government levels, have aided us in fulfilling our mandate,” the COAS said.

As the conference progressed the Army Chief charged participants not not forget the opportunities that inter-agency cooperation, borne from
effective collaborations afford the troops and its multiplier effect on its operations.

He lauded President Bola Tinubu, Grand Commander for his strategic guidance and support which have continued to ensure the successes recorded in various operations.

Similarly, the COAS thanked states governors, heads of services and institutions, royal fathers, the media and Nigerian citizens for their various contributions “to the fight against terrorism, criminality and the ill-wind that accompanies them.”