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Governor Tambuwal Commissions Multi-million Naira Army Guest House Constructed By COAS
By Muhammad Ibrahim Sokoto
Commissioning the Multi-million Naira at Giginya Barracks, Sokoto, Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal commended the Chief of Army Staff for the project which is part of the morale raising sound Investiment of the Nigerian Army.
He commended the COAS for executing such gigantic projects across the country, which can host great number of officers and men of the Army anytime everyday.
Adding value to Nigerian Army structures, Tambuwal further said it also provides convenient lodging alternatives to the Army considering the quality job and number of rooms in the in the constructed Guest House.
Earlier, the Coordinator Special Projects of the Nigerian Army, Major General St Shafaru said the project started on the 26th of August 2021 and covers 22 square meters.
He said the project has 27 rooms that include double and single rooms with additional chalets, indoor games arena, CCTV cameras, 85 KVA generator, multi purpose hall and swimming pool among others.
Wives of the Nigerian Army Officers led by Salamatu Faruk Sifawa were among the associations that attended the ceremony.
December 6, 2022
“Do not rest until security challenge is brought to an end” – COAS to retired Army Officers
The Chief of Army staff (COAS) Lt. Gen Faruk Yahaya enjoined retired Army Officers to join hands with the Nigerian Army (NA) in fighting insecurity in the country.
Yahaya said this in a statement on Sunday by the 81 Division Nigerian Army (NA) Spokesman Maj. Olaniyi Osoba during the 2022 regimental dinner for Army Officers who retired in 2021 from the division.
Ably represented by the General Officer Commanding (GOC) in the division, Maj. Gen Umaru Musa at the event which was held NA Officers mess Victoria Island, Lagos.
He added that retired Officers are allowed to attend functions and sessions to continue to extend their fellowship to the service.
COAS also said that the Army was open to invaluable contributions towards attaining her constitutional mandate and then he commended the services they rendered in the defence of their fatherland.
May 23, 2022
IGP, COAS And Defence Staff Visit Scene Of Abuja-Kaduna Train Attack
The Inspector-General of Police Usman Alkali Baba, Chief of Defence Staff General Lucky Irabor, Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Lieutenant General Faruk Yahaya and other top officials of the Nigerian Railway Corporation, have visited the site of the terrorist attack on a train at Dutse forest in Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna.
The COAS was accompanied by some principal staff officers of the Army Headquarters and the General Officer Commanding 1 Division, on arrival at the scene.
They assessed the security situation around the general area of the attack and inspected the attacked train, as well as the rail track to evaluate the degree of damage
Although the number of causalities is yet to be confirmed, many are feared killed while several others have been kidnapped.
The incident happened around 7:45 pm on Monday at Dutse village in Chikun Local Government Area, just a few kilometres from the Rigasa train station, which is the last transit point of the train.
The bandits were said to have opened fire, shot sporadically on the train, and later gained access to the train.
The COAS however, ordered the troops of the Nigerian Army and other security agencies to intensify their search and rescue operations to ensure that the kidnapped victims are rescued unconditionally.
He assured Nigerians that the troops will be undeterred and vehement in the fight against banditry and other forms of criminality.
Speaking further, he urged members of the surrounding communities and all Nigerians to continue to avail troops with credible information to enhance their operations across the country.
General Yahaya observed that the attack reverberates the need for critical stakeholders to review the security of railways across the country in order to achieve the desired security architecture for railway transportation.
March 29, 2022
Chief Of Army Staff Visits North-East Theatre Of Operations
From Dauda R PamMaiduguri
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt Gen Faruk Yahaya, has embarked on operational tour of the North East(NE) Theatre of Operations, where troops are currently leading the onslaught against Boko Haram(BH) and Islamic State West Africa Province(ISWAP) terrorists.
The COAS was received on arrival by the Theatre Commander Operation Hadin Kai ,Major General Chris Musa at the Headquarters of the Theatre Command(TC) in Maiduguri, where he was briefed on the security situation last Wednesday and later proceeded to Biu and Buratai towns for an interactive session with troops.
Lt Gen Faruk Yahaya used the occasion to commend the troops for their sacrifices and commitment in the on-going fight against terrorism and insurgency and charged them to be more vigilant and alert to their responsibilities, adding that with discipline and commitment, the war in the NE will be brought to an end.
Reassured the troops that administrative and operational challenges confronting their units will soon be a thing of the past as they will be given the desired attention.
Receiving the COAS in his palace,the Emir of Biu Alhaji Mai Mustapha Umar, assured him of the unflinching support and co-operation of his traditional council and people of the Emirate.
The Emir conveyed the appreciation of the Emirate to the COAS for the sacrifices and commitment displayed by troops in combating the insurgency in his domain. He urged the COAS and indeed the NA to remain resolute in discharging its constitutional responsibilities.
Speaking during the visit, the COAS stated that he was at the palace to pay homage and solicit the support of the traditional leader and his subjects in the ongoing counter insurgency operations. He averred that the cooperation and goodwill of the traditional institution and the citizenry are invaluable for meaningful and sustainable operational success.
February 3, 2022
EFCC arrests fake army general who claimed Buhari nominated him as COAS
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested Oluwasegun Bolarinwa, a fake Army General, for alleged N270million fraud.
The suspect, who posed as a Nigerian Army General, allegedly made false representations to the complainant, Kodef Clearing Resources.
He claimed President Muhammadu Buhari shortlisted him and one other to become Chief of Army Staff (COAS) and that he needed a short grant “to press and process the appointment.”
Bolarinwa allegedly forged a letter of appointment as COAS purportedly signed by Buhari and showed the same to the victim.
The suspect lied that he was expected to pay a certain amount of money into the coffers of the Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN).
Bolarinwa was arrested at his house in the Alagbado area of Lagos on Wednesday, January 12, 2022.
Six pump action guns, three cartridge bullets, a swagger stick and several forged documents were recovered from him.
EFCC spokesman, Wilson Uwujaren, noted that Bolarinwa will be charged to court after full investigation.
January 13, 2022
Insecurity: COAS Warns Of Possible Increase In Activities Of Bandits, Terrorists By 2022
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Farouk Yahaya, has called on commanders of various theatres of operation to prepare for a possible increase in attacks by bandits and terrorists among other criminal elements disturbing the peace of the nation.
He made the call on Friday in Abuja while addressing senior officers at the closing ceremony of the COAS Annual Conference 2021.
“We must take the fight to the adversary in order to neutralise and defeat them,” the army chief said in his charge to officers and soldiers fighting insecurity in various parts of the country.
“Commanders are also urged to develop contingency plans to ensure our forces always retain the initiative in all our theatres of operation. In that vein, commanders must plan for the possible increase in scope and dimension of the activities of violent state actors in the coming year.”
READ ALSO: Buhari Sends Security, Intelligence Heads To Sokoto, Katsina Over Worsening Attacks
Yahaya noted that the conference was declared open on Monday by President Muhammadu Buhari who was represented by the Chief of Defence Staff, General Lucky Iraboh.
He stated that in the course of the event, participants discussed salient issues affecting the performance of the army’s constitutional roles and the sustenance of professionalism.
According to the army chief, participants also deliberated the various security issues plaguing the nation, including the activities of bandits, terrorists, and secessionists among others.
As a result, he hinted that the focus of the army for the coming year would be on developing more capacities for improved performances across board.
“Emphasis will be placed on both individual and unit training that will enhance teamwork and professionalism,” Yahaya disclosed. “In this regard, I urge commanders and commandants of the Nigerian Army apropos to ensure they conduct realistic training in their various institutions to ensure our officers and soldiers are equipped with the right skills and competencies to confront criminal elements in the various theatres of operation
“Furthermore, commanders must ensure that their troops master the art of night operations and anti-ambush drills by engaging in effective night operations and anti-ambush drill training.”
December 11, 2021
2022 Budget: N579bn Inadequate to fight Insecurity, others – COAS tells Senate
The Nigerian Army has said that the N579bn approved for the Nigerian Army in the 2022 budget was grossly inadequate to fight terrorism and banditry in the country.
The Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Farouk Yahaya, said this when he appeared before the Senate Committee on Army to defend the 2022 budget on Wednesday, November 3.
In his words
“In preparing for year 2022 budget, the Nigerian Army proposed about the sum of N710bn. However, the Federal Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning budget ceiling reduced it to N579bn. This reduction would impede the capacity and tempo of the Nigerian Army in carrying out its constitutional duties particularly the ongoing war against Boko Haram terrorists and other criminalties across the country.
The National Assembly should prevail on the Federal Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning to exempt the Nigerian Army from the current budget ceiling or envelope allocation system.
I therefore passionately appeal to this (Senate) committee to impress it on the Federal Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning to begin the release of year 2022 Nigerian Army capital budget from the First Quarter 2022.
This would help the Nigerian Army to rehabilitate dilapidated accommodations in over 138 barracks and training facilities across our units, and formations as well as procure the needed equipment and platforms to prosecute the war against terrorism and other criminalities across the country.”
The army chief urged the Senate panel to approve the sum of N642.7bn as the Nigerian Army personnel emolument for the 2022 budget. He also requested the approval of N29.6bn as overhead cost and N37.6bn as capital expenditure.
Speaking further, Yahaya said
“The timely and complete implementation of the 2022 budget will thus enhance the fulfilment of the Nigerian Army’s constitutional mandate and thus engender peace for socioeconomic development of our country Nigeria.” Yahaya said
November 4, 2021
COAS names office complex after Attahiru
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Faruk Yahaya, has opened a new office complex built and named after the late COAS, Lt.-Gen. Ibrahim Attahiru.
The office accommodation is located at the Headquarters of Joint Task Force, North East, Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK) in Maimalari Cantonment, Maiduguri.
The Director, Army Public Relations, Brig.-Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu, made this known in a statement on Thursday in Abuja.
Yahaya said that the gesture was to honour Attahiru for his contributions and sacrifice towards uplifting the Nigerian Army.
He said that the new facility would provide befitting offices to meet demands of the recent expansion and restructuring of the counter-terrorism operation in the North- East.
The COAS also said that the facility would provide environment conducive for the staff officers and administrative staff to perform their duties.
July 22, 2021
We’ve Sent Many Bandits to God to Answer for Their Crimes – COAS
The Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Farouk Yahaya, on Wednesday, said his men have sent many bandits to God to answer for their crimes.
One of the major challenges confronting the nation presently is banditry.
Speaking with state house correspondents after his elevation to the rank of Lieutenant General, Yahya said the military has been giving bandits a tough time.
Asked to comment on Buhari’s directive that bandits and other criminal elements should be treated in the language that they understand, he said: “That’s what we have started doing already. Many of them have been sent to God to answer for their crimes, and we will continue to do that.”
The Chief of Defence Staff, General Lucky Irabor; Chief of the Air, Air Marshal Isiaka Amao; Chief of Defence Intelligence (CDI), Maj General Sunday Adebayo; Director-General, Department of State Services (DSS), Yusuf Bichi, and the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Usman Alkali Baba, witnessed the decoration of Yahaya with the new rank.
Prior to his appointment, the new army chief served as the Theatre Commander of Operation Hadin Kai, a counter-insurgency operation in the North-East.
July 7, 2021
COAS Donates N2m To Veteran Actor, Samanja
The Chief of Army Staff, Faruk Yahaya donated the money to the veteran actor, Usman Baba Pategi, popularly known as Samanja Mazan Fama, in Kaduna after he was informed of his health challenges.
Yahaya explained that he was informed of the health challenges of the veteran actor and felt obliged to lend some support.
He said Nigerian Army takes pride in identifying with notable public figures who have made positive impact on the society.
According to him, Nigerian Army was excited about how Samanja positively projected the image of the army by giving the Nigerian public, an insight into how life in army barracks looked like.
“With this important role, he was able to carve a niche for himself in the entertainment industry.
“Besides, all that Samanja had done in casting the army in a positive light, he remains an icon of the Nigerian army,“ he said.
While responding, the visibly elated Samanja, who recalled with nostalgia, his stint in the army, expressed his immense gratitude to the COAS for identifying with him.
He called on all Nigerians to be patriotic and prayed for the continued peaceful coexistence of Nigeria.
He called on youths to always engage in meaningful projects that will benefit them in life.
Also, one of his daughters, Miss Amina Usman, described her father as a caring and loving father.
She appreciated the Nigerian Army for identifying with the Samanja family.
July 6, 2021