The Nigerian Army says the nation’s security challenges are “real and daunting,” urging troops to be ready to defend the country as 2022 winds down and ahead of the 2023 general elections.

Specifically, Maj.-Gen. Ibrahim Ali, General Officer Commanding (GOC) 3 Division, Nigerian Army, has tasked tactical commanders on professionalism, interagency cooperation and adequate information sharing to curb Nigeria’s prevailing security challenges.

“It also provides the opportunity to promote synergy and cooperation with sister services and other security agencies. As you are all aware, the security challenges we face today are both real and daunting and therefore require renewed vigour by commanders at all levels,” said the GOC. “It is in realisation of this fact and in consonance with the COAS Vision that this operational planning cadre was organised by 3 Division.”

Mr Ali gave the charge while declaring open a four-day capacity building training for the commanders at the headquarters of 6 Brigade, Nigeria Army in Jalingo.

The GOC said the training was necessitated by the prevailing security challenges in Nigeria, adding that every kind of insurgency had its peculiar challenges, depending on the environment.

Mr Ali also said the training of the tactical cadre was one of the pivot visions of Gen. Farouk Yahaya, the Chief of Army Staff, in ensuring the army’s professionalism.

“The cadre is planned to enlighten you on your roles and responsibilities, especially in the forthcoming 2023 general elections. The programme has been deliberately tailored to focus on interagency cooperation in a multi-joint environment, junior leadership skills, media operations, the Nigerian Army code of conduct and Rules of Engagement for the upcoming 2023 Elections,” he said.

The GOC said the training was also designed to enhance the capacity building of tactical-level officers in the contemporary internal security environment.

“As you can observe, this year’s theme was carefully crafted in line with the COAS’ vision for a professional Nigerian Army ready to accomplish (the) assigned mission within a joint environment in defence of Nigeria,” he explained. 

The army general added, “As we commence the Operations Planning Cadre for the Year 2022, let us not lose sight of the fact that the cadre is aimed at availing the participants of the necessary capabilities and competencies that they require to successfully plan operations.”

(NAN)