The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Toareed Lagbaja has admonished the troops of the 6 Division not to violate the codes of conduct guiding the execution of their operations as he Flags-off EXERCISE STILL WATERS III in Rivers state.
General Lagbaja also charged the troops to go after economic saboteurs and ensure they were completely stamped out.
A statement by the Director of Army Public Relations, Brigadier General Onyema Nwachukwu said he gave the charge on 13th of April 2023 in Port Harcourt, while addressing troops during his maiden working tour to 6 Division Area of Responsibility.
General Lagbaja reiterated that the main focus of the Federal Government is economic recovery, security and infrastructural development.
The Army Chief pointed out that the nation cannot experience meaningful economic recovery without having a firm grip on the oil industry, and troops are critical to securing the nation’s oil industry. He further charged the troops to be loyal, disciplined and committed to their constitutional responsibilities.
“Your loyalty first is to the Constitution and Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria ”
He emphasised, that he wants to continually receive positive feedback about troops of the 6 Division throughout the period of Exercise STILL WATERS III.
During the visit, General Lagbaja commissioned landmark projects, as well as critical operational platforms needed to rejig amphibious operations in the Niger Delta region. He stated that the set of 10 Gunboats procured is the first wave, as efforts are ongoing to acquire more platforms that will improve the operational capability of the NA in the riverside domain.
The COAS later visited the 6 Division Step Up Headquarters at Ahoada, where he stressed the importance of inter-agency collaboration.
“We brought you here together with the personnel of other security agencies so that you can work together in a multi-agency environment, essentially to consolidate existing interagency cooperation. You must work together, you must work as comrades” he said.
Earlier at Ahoada, the General Officer Commanding the 6 Division, Nigerian Army, Major General Jamal Abdussalam appreciated the COAS for the strategic, moral and financial support to the Division.
He clarified, that Exercise STILL WATERS III will provide an opportunity for commanders and operatives, to carry out effective operational planning, logistics preparation and conduct of Military Operations Other than War (MOOW), as well as tactical amphibious operations. He added, that it will also focus on the conduct of civil-military activities geared towards winning the hearts and minds of the local populace.
The highlight of the visit was the flag off of Exercise STILL WATERS III in Rivers state, a courtesy call on the Governor of Rivers State, Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, commissioning of several projects, including 10 Gunboats, remodeled 6 Division Headquarters Complex reception, twin Regimental Sergeant Majors quarters, Ordnance tailoring factory, remodelled Corpers’ Lodge and new office complex to accommodate the Headquarters 26 Support Engineer Regiment amongst others.
Dominica Nwabufo
