The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, said President Bola Tinubu has given the Nigerian Army adequate support in order to tackle insecurity in the country head on.
Lagbaja disclosed this on Tuesday during the opening ceremony of the
Combat Support Arms Training (COSAT) in Makurdi with the theme: “ “Harnessing Emerging Technologies for Robust Combat Support to the Nigerian Army”.
"I am pleased to assure this gathering of the President's unwavering commitment to supporting the Nigerian Army in its drive for massive equipment upgrade and acquisition.
"Also, to help attain our strategic plan to significantly improve our equipment serviceability, operational efficiency and effectiveness.
"We believe this is the way to go and we are fortunate to have a government that is supporting our ideas," Lagbaja said.
He further said that the Nigerian Army could boast of a highly efficient, competent, adaptive and resourceful combat support corps that over the years have contributed immensely to its operational successes within and outside the country.
He pointed out that the Nigerian Army Corps of Artillery had consistently provided necessary fire support to their operations, the Nigerian Army Engineers have not failed to help the forces to live, move and fight.
He also said that the Nigerian Army Signals had provided effective communications to aid command and control as well as fight in cyberspace in defence of the forces and the nation.
"The latest arrival in the club, the Nigerian Army Intelligence Corps, has left no one in doubt as to the vital place of timely and reliable intelligence in both our conventional and asymmetric operations.
"Altogether, the four combat support corps have individually and collectively lived up to expectations in the Nigerian Army's training and operational endeavours," the COAS said.
In his address of welcome, the Commander Corps of Engineers, Maj. Gen. Philip Eromosele, said that the combat support arms had provided officers and men with a platform to interact and exchange ideas aimed at enhancing their operational efficiency.
"It is also an avenue where both serving and retired military officers as well as resource persons and partners deliberate on contemporary issues with a view to proffering workable solutions.
"The theme underscores the need for the combat support arms to harness indigenous and emerging innovative solutions to enhance support to Nigerian Army operations," Eromosele said.
He disclosed that the 2024 training week was unique as it would showcase research and development exhibition and a River Crossing demonstration by the combat support arms, stating that he was profoundly grateful to COAS for approving the request for the training.
In his goodwill message, Gov. Hyacinth Alia,
appreciated the leadership, officers and men of the Nigerian Army for their remarkable efforts in tackling insecurity across the nation.
Alia pointed out that the adoption of new technologies/innovations
through collaborative research and development would help in
defeating the menace of violent non-state actors currently terrorizing many parts of the country.
"Let me assure you that despite the seemingly looming economic downturn in the country, the government and good
people of Benue will always support the noble ideals of the Nigerian Army in the performance of its duties," Alia said.
