Army Chief To Change Field Commanders For Operational Efficiency

The Chief of Army Staff (COAS) , Lt. Gen Waidi Shaibu has said in order to achieve success in the ongoing operations undertaken by troops in Borno, the northeast and other parts of the country, the Nigerian Army will replace field commanders and staff officers .

The Army Chief added that the Army would do what was best for soldiers by upholding fairness, justice within the system, and ensuring that every person gets what is due to them within the system.

Lt. Gen Shaibu stated this on Thursday during his first operational visit to the Command and control centre of Operation Hadin Kai Joint Taskforce at Maimalari Cantonment, in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital.

He said, “We will ensure that the right people are placed in the right places; we will appoint the right type of commanders and staff officers in various ways to ensure that we do what is best for the soldiers by upholding fairness, justice within the system, ensure that every person gets what is due to him within the system.

“Every person will get their dues knowing fully well that the morale concept of fighting power is key to achieving the desired expectations.”

Recalling that he has been in the theatre as a Commander for a very long time and aware of the challenges, the COAS said first and foremost, his visit was to appreciate the troops on what they have been doing, and the extent they are going to secure the entire areas of operations.

Continuing he said, “In motivating the troops, we try to uphold the soldier-first concept of my predecessor and I’ll do everything to improve on that concept. As soldiers get what is due to them on time and going forward, we will see how we can extend that to their family at home while they serve their father land.

“We will do our best to ensure we drive all these policies that are key to improving soldiers’ welfare. We will make sure we do that on time. We will continue to pay their allowances on time; of course you are aware that the ration cost allowances have been approved for the soldiers. With all these packages for them, they will know that they are being taken care of.”

The COAS visited 7 Division Military hospital where he commiserated with the wounded and recuperating soldiers, who sustained various degrees of injuries in the fight against insurgency in Borno and other parts of Northeast.