Army Chief charges troops to deploy combat capabilities to defeat enemies

The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Faruk Yahaya, has charged troops of the Nigerian Army to deploy newly acquired combat capabilities to defeat non-state actors disrupting the peace of the country.

General Yahaya gave the charge on Thursday at the Nigerian Army Training Camp, Kachia in Kaduna state, during the Final Exercise and Graduation ceremony of Trainees of Exercise Restore Hope III.

In a statement by the Director Army Public Relations, Brigadier General Onyema Nwachukwu, General Yahaya expressed confidence that with the performance of the final exercise witnessed, their deployment in support of ongoing operations will change the game and bring the tide against the nation’s adversaries.

He further stated that the security challenges bedeviling the country requires the use of lethal force, therefore, the COAS expressed satisfaction with the results received from troops of Ex Restore Hope I and II and tasked the graduating personnel to effectively employ skills and competences acquired to deal with the various security challenges confronting the country.

He emphasized that peaceful and secured atmosphere must be created for the successful conduct of the 2023 elections but admonished the troops to remain apolitical and conduct their operational tasks devoid of politics.

The Army Chief however pointed out that any personnel caught on the wrong side of the law will not be spared.

The training commenced from 18 July 2022 to 17 November 2022 with a total of 647 soldiers, 13 officers, 134 senior non-commissioned officers and 582 Regular Recruit Intake drawn from Nigerian Army formations, units and command.

It is aimed at developing a lethal fighting force with high intensity in advance training of troops ready to be deployed in any theatre of operation.

The Army Staff thereafter, commissioned newly remodeled Nigerian Army School of Artillery Soldiers’ Club and Student officers Accommodation at the Nigerian Army School of Artillery also in Kachia.

Highlights of the event were the long distance shooting at 300m, sniper shooting at 500m, shooting after physical efforts under timing with effects, small team tactical movement to rescue hostages and Krav magga unarmed combat demonstration.