News
Army To Replicate Anambra Template In Future
The Nigerian Army says it will replicate the template it adopted for its officers in the just concluded governorship election in Anambra in future polls in the country.
The General Officer Commanding (GOC) 82 Division, Nigerian Army, Maj.-Gen. Adamu Abubakar, disclosed this when he received members of the Correspondents Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Enugu State Council, yesterday.
Abubakar said that the conduct of military men deployed to provide security for the November18 election had been adjudged the best, adding that there had not been complaints from any quarter.
“Our men discharged their duties in the most professional way and played by their rules of engagement.
“This is the first exercise we are embarking without blames and complaints from anywhere. Our soldiers were professionals and their conduct did not in any way disrupt the election.
“The Anambra template will be used in subsequent elections,” he said.
The GOC said that the country was gradually adapting to democratic values, adding that the military would contribute its quota to sustain the system. “The commendation should also go to other sister security agencies because it was the entire security outfit that did it,” he said.
He said that the situation could have been unpredictable had the military not been on top of the situation due to tension in the area. He said that the Exercise Python Dance II conducted in the area prior to the election was a precursor to the peaceful atmosphere witnessed during the polls.
“The tension was too high that nobody knew what would have happened and it paved the way for the peaceful election and this testifies that the army can come to the aid of civil authorities,” Abubakar said.
He commended the chapel for conducting a peaceful election which enthroned new leadership in the union. He said that the Military would continue to collaborate with the media as the two parties had symbiotic functions. The Chairman of the Correspondents Chapel, Mr Emmanuel Nweze, commended the GOC for the professional way the soldiers deployed to the Anambra election discharged their duties.
Nweze also said that journalists in the state were not unmindful of the various achievements the Division had recorded under Abubakar, including the successful Exercise Python Dance II.
He lauded the Division for overcoming the over 20 years intractable water supply in the barracks through the provision of a water scheme in the barracks.
The chairman appealed for greater collaboration between the military and the media in the task of making the state safer. Newsmen report that all commanders, directors and other principal officers of the Division were present during the visit.
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, has tasked troops of Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD to dominate the battlespace and intensify offensive operations against kidnappers, bandits and other criminal elements in the North Central region.
Shaibu gave the directive yesterday during his maiden operational visit to the Headquarters, Joint Task Force North Central (JTF-NC), at Sobi Barracks, Ilorin.
This is contained in a statement by the Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Col. Appolonia Anele, in Abuja, yesterday.
Shaibu said the Nigerian Army would remain resolute in its constitutional responsibility of safeguarding lives and property, stressing that troops must sustain pressure to decisively deny criminal elements freedom of action.
He assured personnel of continued deployment of combat enablers and operational resources to enhance clearance operations and dismantle criminal hideouts across Kwara and Niger states.
The COAS reaffirmed his commitment to troop welfare, noting that improved welfare remained critical to sustaining morale, operational effectiveness and combat readiness.
He urged the troops to remain disciplined, professional and loyal to the Constitution and the democratically elected government.
Earlier, the Theatre Commander, JTF-NC Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD, Maj.-Gen. Yakubu Yahaya, commended the COAS for his strategic leadership and support.
Yahaya assured that troops would remain committed and steadfast in restoring peace and stability in the region.
The Nigerian Navy says it is expanding training and infrastructure to address emerging security threats and strengthen operational efficiency across formations and units nationwide.
The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Idi Abbas, spoke during the inauguration of projects at the Nigerian Navy Basic Training School (NNBTS) in Onne, Rivers as part of activities marking the Nigerian Navy’s 70th anniversary.
Abbas, represented by the Flag Officer Commanding, Naval Training Command (NAVTRAC), Rear Adm. Ebiobowei Zipele, said the projects reflected significant progress made by the navy since its establishment in 1956 from the British Royal Navy.
“Training and infrastructure have improved significantly to meet contemporary security challenges and fulfil the navy’s constitutional responsibilities.”
According to him, the anniversary provides the navy an opportunity to reflect on its achievements and contributions over the past seven decades.
Projects inaugurated included a remodelled female trainees’ hostel accommodating more than 500 occupants and an expanded golf course upgraded from one to nine holes.
Others were the NNBTS fuel dump, Chief Boatswain’s Mate House, renovated pharmacy department and a new theatre block at the Naval Medical Centre, Onne.
Abbas described the new theatre as a major milestone for the navy’s medical services.
“Previously, injured personnel requiring surgeries were referred outside the facility.
“With this theatre, surgeries can now be conducted within the base.’’
He added that a 30KVA inverter had also been installed to guarantee uninterrupted electricity supply at the training school.
The naval chief assured officers, ratings and trainees that the navy leadership remained committed to their welfare and wellbeing.
“These infrastructure upgrades show the commitment of the Chief of Naval Staff to addressing operational and welfare challenges promptly,” he said.
In addition, NAVTRAC distributed educational materials to pupils of Community Primary Schools One and Two, Ogale, in Ebubu-Eleme area of Rivers.
Items distributed included exercise books, school bags and other writing materials as part of the navy’s civil-military engagement initiative.
Zipele said the outreach was designed to strengthen relations between the navy and host communities while supporting children’s education.
“Education remains critical to national growth and youth empowerment. Some of these pupils may eventually serve in the Nigerian Navy,” he said.
He noted that the initiative demonstrated the navy’s commitment to educational development, peace, security and sustainable community relations.
Zipele urged the pupils to remain disciplined, focused and committed to their studies while embracing patriotism, integrity and hard work.
He thanked the Ebubu community for its continued support for the naval training command headquarters and the navy.
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