The Chief of Army Staff Lieutenant General Faruk Yahaya has made it clear that elections or no elections, neither IPOB, ESN nor any other group or individuals should threaten the integrity of the Nation as enshrined in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
The Chief of Army Staff made the firm statement at the opening of the Chief of Army Staff First Quarter Conference at the Army Headquarters Command Officer’s Mess, Abuja the Nation’s Capital.
General Yahaya stated that despite threat by IPOB/ESN and their supporters that there would be no elections in the South East Zone, the Nigerian Army with concerted efforts through Joint Task Force Operation UDOKA ensured that elections were held successfully in the region 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. 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 noted.
He expressed pride in the way groups, organisations and distinguished individuals have commended the troops’ efforts during the 2023 General Election.
He said 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.
“Our efforts in Operation HADIN KAI in synergy with the sister Services and other security agencies no doubt have significantly curtailed terrorism and insurgency that hitherto bedevilled the North East part of the country. Our continuous injection of specially trained troops and special equipment through Operations LAKE SANITY and DESERT SANITY to complement efforts by Operation HADIN KAI has been rewarding. The insurgents and terrorists no longer have freedom of action and that has amongst other benefits resulted in massive surrender by the adversaries” state General Yahaya.
Intensified Offensives
The Chief of Army Staff Lieutenant General Faruk Yahaya stated that the Nigerian Army troops deployed for Operations HADARIN DAJI and FOREST SANITY have projected forces and intensified offensives to clear bandit enclaves in areas of responsibility.
These operations according to him, have destroyed criminal hideouts, neutralized several bandits and subjected the remaining elements to situations where they are mostly either targeting civilians or on the run.
He called on his men to maintain the tempo and leave no stone unturned to sustain the commendable efforts.
“Though impressive are these efforts, but we are not relenting. Rather, we are even channeling more efforts towards consolidating on these successes in order to completely neutralise insurgents that fail to surrender,” he concluded.
N.O
