……to Sallah luncheon in Sokoto
The Chief of Army Staff, Lt. -Gen. Faruk Yahaya, has performed the ground breaking for the Proposed Nigerian Army Forward Operation Base in Isa local government area of Sokoto State.
Yahaya, was in Sokoto on Tuesday as part of his official visit to evaluate the successes of various operations in troubled areas of North-East and North-Western parts of the country.
According to him, the Army Forward Operation Base is to provide more strategy aimed at ensuring a lasting peace in the troubled areas of Sokoto, Zamfara and other neighboring states.
“Today as you are witnessing, we have performed this very important function in continuation of our various operations toward ensuring a lasting and sustainable peace in the country.
“I want to assure Nigerians that the security operatives are always on the alert and very much committed to defeat the unscrupulous elements troubling our country.
“We have the full support and guidance of President Muhammadu Buhari to end terrorism and criminalities in Nigeria,” he said.
The COAS thereafter, visited the troops of Operation Hadarin Daji in the area and celebrated Sallah with the personnel.
Addressing the troops, Yahaya appreciated the security operatives in Isa for their commitment to protecting the territory.
“I am highly elated by your performance that brought restoration of peace to the troubled area.
“Therefore, you should not relent on your oars till we defeat these unscrupulous elements troubling the country.
“My Sallah gift from all of you is to defeat those terrorists, kidnappers, insurgents and bring their weapons to me,” he said.
He stressed that on their part, they would do everything possible in providing them all necessary support and logistics to enable them effectively discharge their duties.
The Director, Army Public Relations, Brig.-Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu, in a statement on Tuesday, said the COAS also had lunch with the troops of Operation Hadarin Daji to mark the Eid-el-fitri.
The COAS, Yahaya said the initiative to build the new FOB Isa in the eastern part of the state was premised on its strategic importance to the ongoing operations.
He said the FOB would facilitate the planning and execution of several operations, urging traditional rulers and communities to cooperate with the troops to checkmate banditry and other heinous crimes in the region.
The COAS urged troops to intensify operations and take the fight to bandits in their enclaves.
He commended them for the successes recorded so far and urged them not to relent towards meeting the expectations of the nation.
Yahaya assured the troops that more logistics would be deployed into the theatre to enhance their combat efficiency.
At the Government House, Governor Aminu Tambuwal lauded the troops for their effort in the ongoing operations and reiterated his support to the Nigerian army in tackling the security challenges in the state.
Also, the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III, assured the COAS of his continuous support to the Nigerian Army .
Abubakar said the traditional institution would continue to sensitise residents in their domain to support the military and other security agencies in their effort to address the security challenges.
