- The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), lieutenant general Tukur Burutai has spoken on the current security situation in Nigeria
- Burutai noted that the army will deal with the myriads of security challenges facing the country in conjunction with other security agencies
- He said President Buhari wants a balanced and widespread footprints of the army to confront the threats in partnership with sister security agencies
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), lieutenant general Tukur Burutai on Monday, March 5, said the army is spreading its might in order to deal with rising security challenges in the country.
Guardian reports that Burutai who made this known at the groundbreaking of the Nigerian army Barracks, Camp Buratai at Elebele in Yenagoa, Bayelsa state, said this was in synergy with other security agencies.
COAS noted that President Buhari wanted a balanced and widespread footprints of the Nigerian army to confront the threats in partnership with sister security agencies.
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He said the 16th brigade in Yenagoa, was also made operational on February 28, 2018 adding that he was in Katsina 10 days ago to operationalise the 17th Brigade under the new 8th Division with headquarters of Operation Lafia Dole in Monguno.
The COAS said the headquarters in Monguno would be relocated to Sokoto as soon as the menace of insurgency had been fully contained.
The groundbreaking, which will lead to construction of massive infrastructures, was attended by the governor of Bayelsa state, Seriake Dickson and his key cabinet members as well as the founder/president, Belema Oil Producing, Jack-Rich Pein and the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Azikel Refinery, Azibapu Erani.
Also in attendance were the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 6th division of the Nigerian army, Maj.-Gen. M.S. Yusuf; commander 16th brigade, Brig.-Gen. Kelvin Aligbe and other security commanders; traditional rulers and host communities.
According to him, ''The establishment of 6th brigade in Port Harcourt, 6th dvision in Port Harcourt and the 16th Brigade in Yenagoa forms an important part of President’s desire to have a balanced and widespread footprints of the Nigerian army to deal with the myriads of security challenges facing the country in conjunction with other security agencies.
''As you may be aware, I was in Katsina about 10 days ago to operationalise the 17th brigade under the new 8 division whose headquarters is currently in Operation Lafia Dole, the theatre of operation specifically in Monguno but will soon relocate to Sokoto after the menace of the insurgency has been fully contained.
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''The army has acquired the property and today Dickson has kept his promise. From what we have observed, of the preparation of this new site, so much efforts and resources have been efficiently deployed. Today’s ceremony is a testimony that with determination and sincerity of officers and soldiers, we can build institutions and regenerate society.
''The brigade has demonstrated and achieved so much in infrastructural development and enhancement of troops’ wellbeing within one year of its establishment as well as meeting its trainings, operational and regimental responsibility.
''I commend the commander, officers and men of the 16th brigade for their innovation, determination and professionalism as well as the clear interpretation of my vision for the Nigerian army which is to have a professionally responsive Nigerian army in the discharge of its constitutional roles.''
Meanwhile, NAIJ.com had reported that the general officer commanding, 81 division, Nigerian army, Maj.-Gen. Emabong Udoh said Python Dance 2 and Crocodile Smile 2 exercises were successfully conducted.
Udoh added that the exercises, which were part of training activities of the army in 2017, helped to curtail criminal activities and other crimes in the country.
STREET GIST: Is Operation "Crocodile smile II" necessary? - on NAIJ.com TV:
Source: Naija.ng