The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, has charged troops to deal decisively with any security challenges threatening the nation.

Mr Oluyede gave the charge at the Eid-al-Adha lunch with troops in the field at Forward Operation Base (FOB) of Sub-sector 6, of Operation Fansan Yanma, Fatika, Giwa Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

Mr Oluyode, represented by the Chief of Logistics Nigerian Army, Maj.-Gen. Erema Akerejola, cherished the ultimate sacrifices made by the troops who laid down their

lives for the unity, peace and stability of Nigeria.

He noted that the Nigerian Army’s brave and dedicated troops demonstrated unalloyed loyalty, uncommon courage and faith, which resulted in significant victories in the face of grave dangers.

Mr Oluyede expressed gratitude for the gift of life and for the relative peace that had been restored in many parts of the nation, while renewing the Nigerian Army’s hope for an even more secure and prosperous future.

He lamented that many of the troops were carrying the marks of courage and bravery through battle scars and deformities, while others were fortunate to share their memories and stories of sacrifice in service to the nation.

The army chief prayed for the repose of the souls of the fallen heroes, assuring their families that their selfless heroism would forever be etched in the hearts of Nigerians and humanity.

He restated the Nigerian Army’s resolute commitment in defending Nigeria’s territorial integrity against the nation’s adversaries.

Mr Oluyede, therefore, said that Eid-el-Kabir was a significant festival that highlighted the essential virtue of sacrifice as a nation and a reminder of the strength found in selflessness and compassion towards others.

He thanked President Bola Tinubu for his unflinching support, focused leadership and strategic guidance.

Mr Oluyede equally thanked Nigerians for their unwavering belief in the Nigerian Army and for their continuous support.

He said, “The Nigerian Army looks forward to a more formidable collaboration to end all forms of insecurity and create an enabling environment for economic growth, stability and prosperity.’’

Earlier, the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 1 Division, Nigerian Army, Maj.-Gen. Mayirenso Saraso, said that the Eid-al-Adha was a festival of sacrifice.

He said that it also provided an avenue to acknowledge the sacrifices, total loyalty and commitments of gallant troops within 1 Division Nigerian Army’s Area of Responsibility, particularly in Kaduna State.

Mr Saraso, who doubled as the Commander, Sector 1 Operation Fansan Yamma, said the special event was aimed at appreciating and motivating the troops for the several successes in all fronts within the division’s area of responsibility.

In line with the command philosophy of the COAS focused on sound administration for the smooth and effective running of the Nigerian Army, he said, they must continue to ensure that troops were well motivated to accomplish all statutory tasks.

He lamented that the threat pattern in the division’s area of responsibility remained fluid with some complexities.

The GOC, however, said that the division had been and would continue to remain focused and well determined to ensure a more stable and conducive environment for the law-abiding citizens to engage in their lawful activities.

According to him, the division’s kinetic operations had so far resulted in the rescue of several kidnap victims and the elimination of several violent extremists and insurgents with their leaders in the recent past.

Mr Saraso equally said that through the division’s non-kinetic engagements, several kidnapped victims had been unconditionally released and several violent extremists and their leaders had also laid down their arms to embrace peace.

“It is worthy of mention that the security situation within our area of responsibility has remain relatively calm due to these proactive responses, deterrence actions and countermeasures taken by our gallant troops, other security and intelligence agencies and support of the government of Kaduna State and the local populace,” the GOC said.

He, therefore, urged the troops not to rest on their laurels, but to get re-energised and redouble their efforts to ensure that there was no haven for violent extremists and insurgents within the division’s area of responsibility.

Mr Saraso further urged them to continue mounting pressure on the violent extremists and insurgents to suffocate them and secure the entire area of responsibility.

“The division must continue to be safer under my watch, as I remain confident that you, the gallant troops in collaboration with other security and intelligence agencies with the support of the government and good people of the state, will make it even safer,” Mr Saraso said.

Also in his remarks, the Emir of Zazzau, Ahmed Bamalli, lauded the efforts of the military in restoring peace and pledged support to achieve total peace.

Mr Bamalli was represented by the District Head of Fatika, Lawal Umar,

(NAN)