On Wednesday, 28 August 2024, during the Opening Ceremony of the Chief of Army Staff Combined Second and Third Quarters Conference 2024 held at the Council of Chiefs Hall Uyo, Akwa Ibom State. The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja, has stated that the Nigerian Army (NA) has recently acquired combat enablers to enhance troops' effectiveness in the conduct of ongoing operations across the country.
In a statement released by the Director of Army Public Relations, Major General Onyema Nwachukwu, revealed that the essential combat enablers such as Mine-Resistance Ambush Protected (MRAP) Vehicles, rifles, and ammunition necessary to strengthen troops' operations across the country have been acquired and are already impacting positively on troops operations against security challenges.
"These acquisitions will undoubtedly enhance the effectiveness of troops across various theatres and ultimately firm up the nation's path to an improved security environment in furtherance of economic prosperity for the nation", the COAS stated.
General Lagbaja noted the desire of President, Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces of Nigeria Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to build a well-equipped, truly professional Army for the nation. This he said, the President has demonstrated through the purchase of combat enablers such as the 2 BELL UH -1 Huey Helicopters and other enablers to conduct a range of missions, including logistics and medical evacuation among other functions for the NA.
He further disclosed that Nigerian Army pilots are currently undergoing training on these platforms since the Army took delivery of the platforms on 20 June 2024. The COAS reassured that the platforms will soon be fully inducted into the theatres of operation, but limited to logistic missions.
Also, the Executive Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Pastor Umoh Eno, while formally declaring the conference open at the Council of Chiefs Hall Uyo, commended the progressive reform of the Nigerian Army, urging the Nigerian Army to maintain the trajectory. He urged the Nigerian Army to remain apolitical and continue to operate within the framework of the principles of fundamental human rights and adherence to rules of engagement in its operations.
Governor Eno commended the COAS for his excellent and exemplary leadership in the Nigerian Army and urged the Nigerian Army to evolve strategies that would consolidate its achievements thus far. He also called for actionable intelligence and synergy among sister security agencies in the conduct and success of operations.
He lauded the successes so far achieved by troops of the Nigerian Army and other security agencies across the 6 geopolitical zones, pointing out that the Nigerian Army is a key element of national power and diplomacy.