Army chief: Ending insurgency, banditry in Nigeria is my top priority

Faruk Yahaya, chief of army staff (COAS), says ending insurgency, banditry and other acts of criminality is his top priority.

Yahaya spoke on Tuesday in Makurdi at a workshop tagged ‘Future improvised explosive device (IED) challenges, enemy tactics, techniques and procedures and threat Mitigation’.

Represented by Sunday Igbinomwanhia, Operation Whirl Stroke commander, Yahaya said his commitment to defeat insurgency formed the bedrock of the army’s procurement of arms and ammunition and training of its personnel.

“It is with this commitment in mind that the procurement of equipment and realistic training of personnel are embarked upon,” NAN quoted the army chief as saying.

“The research and development drive for indigenous production of some of our requirements is ongoing.

“The local production of the Ode rechargeable blasting device and the remote control jammers are commendable but more can be done.”

Yahaya said the Nigerian army would continue to support local production of its defence needs.

On Sunday, three soldiers were killed after running into a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device (VBIED) planted by the Islamic State of the West African Province (ISWAP) in Borno state.

The army chief said training officers on counter improvised explosive device (CIED) has helped the army in its triumph against insurgency.

“Effective CIED operations have contributed in no small measure towards the recent successes recorded against Boko Haram and other terrorist groups as well as various unscrupulous elements across the nation,” he said.

“It is also heart-warming to note that in line with my vision to promote jointness in operations, the Nigerian Army has continued to contribute successfully in several joint operations across the country.”