By Linus Aleke
The Nigerian Army (NA), on Tuesday, said that it is making concerted efforts, and taking steps to track and apprehend terrorists, bandits and other criminals as well as their sponsors.

The Service also said has concluded arrangements to provide the necessary security assistance, to ensure the successful conduct of the 2023 general elections.

The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt. Gen. Faruk Yahaya made this disclosure while declaring open, the COAS
third Quarter Conference 2022, in Abuja.

He said: “As electioneering activities for general elections begin, I wish to once again assure the public that the Nigerian Army remains committed to discharge its constitutional responsibilities and assist in providing a secured environment for the conduct of the general elections through Operation Safe Conduct.

You may all recall that in the last conference I mentioned that the Nigerian Army will review its Rules of Engagement and Code of Conduct for general elections.

I am happy to inform you all that the reviewed document is ready and will be distributed at the end of this conference”.

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He added that the commanders are to ensure that all personnel deployed for security duties during the election period are given personal copies and thoroughly educated on the guidelines provided in the document.

The COAS reiterated that the third Quarter conference provides an important platform to further appraise performance and bring in fresh ideas to enhance activities in all fronts.

Gen. Yahaya further noted that the quarterly conference is in line with his resolve to maintain constant interaction with commanders in the field as we all collectively continue to make improvements in their operations and other activities.

He said: “You have all done well in the implementation of the decisions taken during the last conference as evident in the successes recorded, particularly in our ongoing operations across all theatres of operation.

“Our kinetic actions in the North East theatre of operations have continued to dismantle the cohesion of the insurgents resulting in massive surrenders of the terrorists. This has positively impacted on the morale of troops and greatly bolstered the confidence of the citizens. Efforts must therefore be geared towards leveraging on the gains so far recorded to stamp out the miscreants permanently.

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“The recent successful hosting of Nigerian Army Day Celebration in the South East has impacted positively on the security situation in the region even as the troops continue to take decisive actions against the secessionists. The Nigerian Army will continue to perform its roles professionally in the region in collaboration with other Services and security agencies as well as State and Local Government authorities. Equally, the troops deployed in the South-South region under Operation DELTA SAFE have continued to perform creditably with the rejuvenated joint operations leading to the arrest of several suspects and their sponsors. A concerted effort is ongoing to ensure maximal revenue is derived by the country from its oil ventures in the South-South region”.

The Nigerian Army, he said has continued to contribute positively to the maintenance of security in the South West region, which generally remains relatively calm.

“Our security arrangements in the region have been reinforced in collaboration with other security agencies, particularly in the wake of the unfortunate incursions by terrorists to the region,” he concluded.