Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Faruk Yahaya, has warned that neither IPOB, ESN nor any other group, groups or individuals should threaten the integrity of the nation as enshrined in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
He noted that “the peaceful conduct of the 2023 general elections across the country, including in the South-East, despite the sense of insecurity created by criminal elements in the region, is a testament to our resolve to ensure security in the entire Nation.”
He spoke against the backdrop of threats by IPOB/ESN and their supporters, who had threatened that there would be no elections in the Zone.
The COAS said these at the opening of the Chief of Army Staff First Quarter Conference at the Command Officer’s Mess, Abuja.
“I must commend you all for your adherence to all guidelines and implementation of decisions taken during last year’s annual conference as evident in our professional conduct and apolitical disposition during the just-concluded general elections.
“Your strict adherence to my directives and guidance in this respect is quite commendable.
“The efforts by the Army Headquarters to go round formations to deliver lectures on ‘Introspection of Past Experiences and Efforts at Improving NA Support to Op Safe Conduct 2023’ are also noted to have yielded desired outcomes.
“I am proud to say that various groups, organisations and distinguished individuals have commended our troops’ efforts during the 2023 General Elections.
“Accordingly, elections were therefore held in the South-East and successfully too, just like other parts of the country.
CGenerally, our operations and decisive actions against the criminal elements have impacted positively on the security situation in the region, giving confidence to law-abiding citizens in the South-East.
“The peaceful conduct of general elections across the country including in the South-East despite the sense of insecurity created by criminal elements in the region is a testament to our resolve to ensure security in the entire Nation.
“This was made possible through the successful conduct of Operation Safe Conduct 2023 across the nation, which saw the Nigerian Army along with the other services and agencies ensuring successful general elections.
“Our additional efforts through Joint Task Force Operation Udoka paid off in the South-East thus ensuring successful elections in the region as well.
“Accordingly, elections were therefore held in the South-East and successfully too, just like other parts of the country.
“Generally, our operations and decisive actions against the criminal elements have impacted positively on the security situation in the region, giving confidence to law abiding citizens in the South-East.
“This was made possible through successful conduct of Operation Safe Conduct 2023 across the nation which saw the Nigerian Army along with the other Services and agencies ensuring successful general elections.
“The Nigerian Army will continue to perform its constitutional roles in collaboration with the sister-services and other security agencies as well as civil authorities in the region.
He commended concerted efforts, commitments and dedication to duty by field commanders, officers and soldiers to ensure successes in various operations across the country are also commendable.
On issues of welfare, Gen. Yahaya said the Army under his command has continued to evolve novel and better administrative measures to improve on troop’s welfare.
“In this respect, the Nigerian Army Personnel Insurance Scheme (NAPIS) – which is akin to the Group Life Assurance Scheme – to further cater for troops’ dependants in any eventuality has just commenced.
“The policy which covers payment of medical bills, compensation for temporal or permanent disability as well as death is paid wholly by the Army and is therefore devoid of problems and issues associated with the previous schemes.
“Our NAPIS payment is guaranteed in the event of any eventuality and the Scheme had taken off effective since 1 Feb 23.
“We have also introduced the COAS Welfare Loan Scheme for the benefit of interested officers and soldiers. This is a scheme where interested officers and soldiers are granted interest-free soft loans.
“Similar schemes are afoot to facilitate interested soldiers own houses on the specially arranged affordable mortgage. I believe those schemes and many more to come will further contribute to enhancing our overall welfare packages for the Nigerian Army personnel.
“Troops deployed in the South-South region for Operation Delta Safe have continued to perform commendably.
“The efforts of the rejuvenated joint operations in the region have led to the discovery and destruction of several illegal oil refining camps and the arrest of criminal suspects.”
VANGUARD
