The Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant-General Farouk Yahaya, on Friday said the army was better prepared to tackle the challenges of insurgency, banditry, kidnapping and other security problems bedeviling the country.
Yahaya said this while declaring the four-day event closed at the 33 Artillery Brigade, Bauchi during the closing of the 2021 Inter-Formation Platoon Officers’ Crossing Competition.
He described the event as a turning point, which will help officers and men of the Nigerian Army in talking insecurity in the country.
He said the competition had also created the enabling environment to exhibit military camaraderie needed for cooperation and unity of efforts in the conduct of trainings for operations.
Represented by the commander, Nigerian Army Armoured Corps, Major- General Suleiman Idris, the COAS explained that the training had been quite eventful as the competition had brought realism and relevance to its training, adding that it has also helped the army in its ongoing efforts at improving fitness, training, information, units and its other establishments.
Yahaya congratulated the winning formation, Army Headquarters Garrison, saying the result of their hard work had paid off. He also charged the formation that lost not to remain downcast but to take away valid lessons that would improve their performance in future competitions.
Speaking at the event, the Bauchi State governor, Bala Mohammed, described the exercise as something to cherish, adding, “What impressed me with the Nigerian Army is that even after the rigorous exercise, all of them had the strength to participate in dancing and singing. This shows that they still have energy.”
Represented by his deputy, Senator Baba Tela, the governor said the training received by the officers and men of the Nigerian Army would help them in confronting the challenges ahead particularly, insurgency, banditry and other security challenges.
