On Monday, July 14, 2014, top Army brass gathered in Abuja for the Chief of Army Staff’s Third Quarter Conference, 2014. JIBRIN BABA NDACE was there
The Director Army Public Relations (DAPR), Brigadier General Olajide Laleye who was the master of ceremony set the ball rolling for the three-day events. The Chief of Policy and Plan (COPP), Major General Jack Nwogbo in his welcome address thanked the COAS for the conference disclosed that in the past six month the service has been mapping out strategies to lay a solid foundation on how to surmount various security challenges facing Nigeria.
He insisted that it was necessary to effectively ‘fire from all cylinder’ in order to maximize all efforts adding that the conference was deliberately made elaborate to carter for outstanding administrative and operational issues. He disclosed that the focus of the conference was to appraise the performance of the Nigeria Army in counter-terrorism and counter-insurgency operations with a view to surmounting them.
Declaring the conference open, the Chief of Army Staff, COAS, Lieutenant General Kenneth Minimah who was referred to as the last man standing, said he assumed office as a war time Chief of Army Staff adding these challenges have led to loss of lives of personnel.
“In the process we have lost loved ones and colleagues. We have lost officers and soldiers of the Nigerian Army all in the prosecution of the war on insurgency. This is done in an effort to keep Nigeria one. I therefore call for a minute silence on behalf of all officers and men of the Nigeria Army who have paid the supreme sacrifice. ”
General Minimah who disclosed that the first and second quarter conferences could not hold, in order to allow commanders to familiarize themselves with their areas of responsibility. spoke about mutiny, was has said the army is duty-bound to prove its critics wrong by taking the right measures in the prosecution of the ongoing war on terrorism and other forms of criminalities in Nigeria.
The COAS who said that the fight against terrorism has claimed lives of officers and men noted that insecurity in the country has shifted focus on the army in particular and the armed forces in general.
“Our nation is facing enormous security challenges. This has shifted the focus of the public to the armed forces, particularly Nigerian Army. Our activities are increasingly coming under public scrutiny.”
“While a lot of patriotic Nigerians particularly the ordinary Nigerians have continued to support the Nigerian Army, others have used the opportunity and somehow a very small section of the press to cast aspersion action on our competence, integrity and ability to raise to the challenge”
“It is our duty therefore to pick up the gauntlet, dedicate ourselves and prove our critic wrong. This when can achieve when we reflect on what we are doing right and take steps to correct what we are not doing right.”
He disclosed that in the past six month his focus has been on talking insurgency and other forms of insecurity in various part of Nigeria adding that he has taken measures to enhance the capabilities of the Nigerian Army .
He said: “in the past six months, my focus has been primarily on tackling the insurgency by Boko Haram terrorist in the northeast, a lot of gains have been made in the various operations but still more needs to be done.”
“We have taken measures to enhance our capabilities through improved training, equipment repairs, and attention to troop’s welfare and motivation. War is not an easy task. These efforts should be replicated by Commanders at all level, supported by staff officers at the army headquarters,” General Minimah said.
“A lot of gains have been made in various operations, but more needs to be done”
He said step taken by his leadership would lead to remarkable changes which effects would be felt at various battle grounds.
He raise concern on rising cases of indiscipline and unprofessional conducts by troops in various battle fields.
“The near mutinous act in Maiduguri and reported destruction of properties in Lagos is an instance of such act of indiscipline and unprofessional conduct.”
He said as a professional army, the conduct of the troops must be above board all the time. He charged commanders to put all measure in place to check acts of indiscipline, misconduct and unprofessional conduct by troops under their command, noting that the image of the Nigerian Army must be protected.
He urged the officers and men of the Nigerian Army to strictly adhere to their constitutional role of protecting and defending the constitution of the federal republic of Nigeria. “We must continue to adhere to values of loyalty, courage, professionalism, discipline, respect and sacrifice”
“Our loyalty to the constitution and commander-in-chief must remain totally in the interest of a united, stable and prosperous Nigeria. The Nation to look up to us and we can afford to fail them. ”
Also in an interview with journalists, the Army Chief disclosed that the Nigerian Army is getting new and fresh equipment that will enable its fight against terrorism and insurgency in the country.
“Yes! We have equipment, and the federal government is also introducing fresh and newer equipment to us, which will soon be home.”
On the issue of deserting soldiers in counter terrorism operations, He said, “desertion is part of warfare; we must accept that since the Carthaginian wars, soldiers have deserted from battle field.”
He explained that, “now in our own case, we are doing our recruitment now, we are also receiving persuasions from people who want their wards enlisted in the army.”
“Now if we don’t have a through recruitment, mind you there is high level of unemployment on ground, most people want jobs, if that job means joining the army, fine!, it’s a source of employment, but when the reality of military service comes, he drops his riffle and runs away,” Genaral Minimah said.
He further said, “The Nigerian army is performing and I also know the expectation of the Nigerian Citizens, the expectations is rather too in haste, we need some time, we need patience, we are fighting terrorism, we are not fighting a conventional war.”
General Minimah noted that, “Nigerian army is a conventional army, we are also now fighting terrorism, the terrorist is someone you don’t know, maybe someone who sold food to you or fruits to you in the morning, by the afternoon he is a terrorist.”
He also said, “I know the expectation of the Nigerian citizen is that this thing should have been over by yesterday but the reality is that it couldn’t have been over by yesterday, because of the structure and dynamics of fighting this type of terrorism, we are fighting Nigerian citizens, we are not fighting foreigners so caution must be exercised.”
At the end of the conference, Combat and Service Formation Commanders deliberated and took far reaching decisions which are aimed at repositioning the Nigerian Army for better personnel administration, efficient and integrated logistics capability as well as improved combat efficiency.
A statement by DAPR said: “Arising from this, a larger picture that will become obvious in the very near future is a Nigerian Army that would be eminently prepared to embark on long military campaigns, as well as decisive combat in defence of constitution and every inch of the territory of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”
“In the light of the foregoing, the Nigerian Army seeks the continued understanding and cooperation of all well-meaning Nigerians, particularly journalists, in order to successfully rid the nation of terrorists and undesirable elements and make Nigeria great and safe again. ”
