• presents 81 to Nigerian Army Units
From Molly Kilete, Abuja
President Muhammadu Buhari, has commended officers and soldiers of the Nigerian Army, members of the Armed Forces and the security agencies for their exceptional performances in their various operations to curb insecurity across the country.
The President said that their commitment has led to the remarkable progress in the fight against insurgents, militants, oil bunkerers, kidnappers and other criminal elements in the country.
President Buhari, said this at the Nigerian Army Trooping and Presentation of Colours Parade 2023, held at the Eagle Square, Abuja.
Dressed in full military ceremonial uniform with the rank of a Field Marshall, the president, while noting that the nation’s security situation was greatly challenged by the activities of violent non-state actors at the inception of his administration, said the situation has tremendously improved.
He said “I wish to also proudly highlight that we have made remarkable progress in the fight against insurgents, militants, oil bunkerers, kidnappers and other criminal elements in the country.
The president said his administration has achieved remarkable transformation of the military in the areas of fighting power, training, operations, manpower, remunerations and medical services.
These he pointed out are in addition to maintenance efficiency, accommodation and expansion of forces adding that the improvements in these areas have collectively enhanced the Army’s capacity to effectively carry out its constitutional mandate.
According to the president, “The fighting power of our Army was at low ebb as at May 2015. However, 7 years later, its fighting power has increased significantly making it fourth in ranking among African militaries as against seventh in 2015.
“Our interventions and yearly budgetary allocations to the Army between 2020 and 2022 alone, have been able to procure hundreds of Mine Resistant Ambush Protected Vehicles, Troops Carrying Vehicles, utility vehicles, tanks and Armoured Personnel Carriers to augment those earlier procured.
“From 2017 to 2022, significant numbers of new fighting and utility vehicles along with supporting artillery guns, machine guns, rifles and corresponding ammunition were acquired and inducted into various theatres of operations. This translates to significant increment in the Army’s equipment holding since 2015.
The president said that “With the significant improvement in the fighting power as a result of the procurement of equipment and mission specific training, the Army was empowered to rejig its operations. Accordingly, the Army has restructured the conduct of its operations to meet current realities.
The quantum of platforms inducted into the Army since 2015 had enabled troops to take the battle to the terrorists and criminals, particularly in the North East resulting in the recapture of territories hitherto held by the insurgents.
Continuing, he said “The efforts of the troops leading to unprecedented successes was evident in the increased number of neutralized insurgents and those that voluntarily surrendered alongside their families for radicalization and rehabilitation through Operation SAFE CORRIDOR. This feat has continued to be replicated in other theatres of operation within the country leading to the resettlement of Internally Displaced Persons to their ancestral homes and restoration of economic activities in addition to the contribution of the Nigerian Army to global peace through Peace Support Operations.
“Furthermore, the creation of the Army Aviation is one of the major aspects of the ongoing expansion process in the Nigerian Army. The renewed vigour for the operationalization of the Army Aviation emanated from a strong desire to effectively tackle contemporary security challenges across the country. This unit, when fully operationalized, will provide rapid deployment, close air support, casualty evacuation, prompt delivery of logistics supply, among other roles.
“As an administration, we have demonstrated commitment to increase the strength of the Armed Forces in my resolve to secure the country all challenges. It is instructive to state that from 2015 when I was sworn in as the President and Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces Federal Republic of Nigeria, I facilitated the recruitment of over 60,000 soldiers from Depot Nigerian Army aside thousands commissioned from the Nigerian Defence Academy Kaduna.
In the area of troops welfare, president Buharia, said “ this administration has facilitated the approval of Manual for Financial Administration which has greatly enhanced the pay and allowances of troops. This has no doubt boosted troops’ morale and enhanced their zeal to discharge their constitutional mandate. Furthermore, in line with my resolve to cater for the families of deceased personnel, over 50,000 children and wards of personnel who died in active service are on the Nigerian Army scholarships from 2015 to date.
On infrastructural development, he said “this administration has made determined efforts to surmount the deficit in accommodation and other amenities. As the strength of the Army increased, special interventions were made to construct new barracks accommodation and renovate the old ones.
“So far, hundreds of new blocks of accommodation were constructed and thousands of the old housing units were renovated and remodeled in various formations and units across the country between 2016 and 2022.
“Currently, massive construction works are ongoing in the new Muhammadu Buhari Barracks, Abuja and other barracks to provide the requisite offices, houses and facilities to cater for the increasing strength of the Army personnel.
“Let me at this point express my gratitude to the Chief of Defence Staff, all the other Service Chiefs and heads of all para – military organizations for their commitment and selfless service to this nation. The Nigerian Army that we celebrate today, would not have been able to discharge its responsibilities optimally including today’s Trooping and Presentation of Colours without your collaborative support.
“I wish to commend all Nigerians for their perseverance, support and to state that the country will continue to rely on support from all segments of the Nigerian society in ensuring the maintenance of peace and security of our nation”.