Terrorism: You need to read why army expresses doubts over soldiers

– The general officer commanding 81 division of the Nigerian army, Maj-General Hassan Edet disclosed that the institution was skeptical over the fitness of some soldiers

– Maj-General Edet, whose speech was read by Brig-General Daniel Adeyemi, the 59 division signal commander, stressed the need for soldiers to be physically and emotionally fit

Nigerian soldiers on patrol in one of the Northern states

The Nigerian Army has expressed doubts over the ability of soldiers to curtail the current security challenges facing the country.

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Vanguard reports that Maj-General Hassan Edet, general officer commanding 81 division of the Nigerian army made the revelation on April 8, during his closing remarks at the division’s corporal and below competition 2016 held at 35 Artillery Brigade, Alamala, Abeokuta, Ogun state.

Maj-General Edet, whose speech was read by Brig-General Daniel Adeyemi, the 59 division signal commander, disclosed that the army organised the one-week competition because it was worried over the fitness of the soldiers in a bid to physically and emotionally make them fit.

The soldiers involved in the programme were drawn from four formations in Lagos and Ogun states. The soldiers were made to compete in weapon handling, physical fitness and obstacle crossing, map reading, drill, combat swimming and live weapon handling which ended in live firing for one week.

The GOC maintained that the programme could not have been executed at a more appropriate time than now as there was increasing concern over the ability of soldiers as well as the army institution to combat the current security challenges bedeviling the country.

“The current security challenges in the country have brought to the fore the existing gaps in our training necessitating a reorientation at all levels especially, at the lower cadre.

“As professional soldiers, the need for you to be physically and emotionally prepared to carry out your duty in any circumstance can only be achieved through regular training.

“The objectives of this competition therefore are to improve your physical fitness, organisational ability, use of initiative, team spirit and enhance your leadership traits as well as promote esprit -de- corps amongst you. It is also intended to prepare you for the battle at all times in view of the present security challenges in the country,” Maj-General Edet said.

Speaking also, Muhammed Sanni Dan Walis, the officer commanding 35, Artillery Brigade, Alamala, who hosted the event extolled the chief of army staff, Tukur Buratai and other superior officers for organising the competition for the corporal and below men.

He said the competition was aimed at improving the participant’s physical and emotional wellbeing, adding that the event has bridged the gaps amongst the soldiers as well as developed them.

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Meanwhile, 81 Division Garrison emerged overall best formation with 895 points while 35 Artillery Brigade grabbed the second position with 818 point. The nine brigade annexed 809 points to occupy the third position.

The competition organised for the soldiers is very commendable as it would further enhance the performance of the troops. Since the present administration took over governance, Nigerian soldiers have stepped up their onslaught against the Boko Haram terrorist group. The troops have continued to record victory in the battle against insurgency in the Northern part of the country, especially in Borno state, which is the worst hit state.

Soldiers have seriously clamped down and recorded immerse success in its operations against the Boko Haram terrorist group disturbing a section of the nation. Reacting to troops successful outing, Governor Kashim Shettima has announced that Borno state is now free of terror.

The governor made the disclosure on April 11, in Abuja when he paid a visit to Muhammad Sidi, the director general of National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA).

Shettima, however, noted that the Boko Haram sect had not been totally annihilated as there were still occasional hiccups, but insisted that “Borno is now free.”

 

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