The Chief Of Army Staff (COAS) Lt Gen Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja NAM has encouraged troops of 1 Division/Operation WHIRL PUNCH to redouble their efforts toward ensuring the complete defeat of adversarial elements troubling the nation and secure their Area of Responsibility (AOR) from violent extremists, insurgents, terrorists and other criminal elements.
The COAS who was represented by the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 1 Division Nigerian Army Maj Gen MLD Saraso gave the charge during the Special Eid El Fitr Sallah luncheon with troops of 18 Brigade and 31 Artillery Brigade at the Forward Operation Base,Sarkin Pawa, Munya Local Government Area of Niger State on 10 April 2024.
The COAS commended the troops for successful completion of the Ramadan fasting and urged them to continue fighting for the just cause of keeping Nigeria safe and secure.
He emphasises the importance of creating the right environment for peace and economic prosperity, reassuring of prioritising the welfare of the personnel.
He further encouraged officers and soldiers to renew their hope and faith in the unity of the nation and pray for continued successes.
He expressed his gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his continuous support to the Nigerian Army, the Honourable Minister of Defence, the Chief of Defence Staff and other Service Chiefs for their support.
Speaking earlier in his capacity as GOC 1 Division, Maj Gen MLD Saraso thanked and appreciated the troops for their sacrifices, total loyalty and commitment.
He described the threat matrix in the Division’s AOR as volatile and complex but however, stated that the Division has been and will continue to remain focused and well determined to secure a more suitable and conducive environment for law abiding citizens to engage in their lawful activities.
He added that the Division has recorded several successes including rescue of many kidnap victims and in recent times, elimination of several violent extremist leaders like the notorious Kachalla Ali and Boderi Ishiaku alongside many of their foot soldiers.
He charged the troops not to rest on their oars until there is no safe haven for violent extremists, insurgents and terrorists in the Division’s AOR. He extended his immense gratitude to the Chief of Army Staff Lt Gen TA Lagbaja NAM for his immeasurable support, encouragement, leadership and provision of needed resources for the Sallah feast for troops among other competing needs.
Earlier in his welcome remarks, the host and Commander 31 Artillery Brigade Brig Gen HD Bobbo welcomed the representative of the COAS to the event and specially thanked him for the privilege of hosting his troops and that of 18 Brigade for COAS Special Sallah Luncheon. He appreciated the kindness of the COAS to the troops stating that it will further give them a great sense of belonging.
He added that the well thought-out Sallah feast for the troops was a platform to honour and appreciate their gallantry and selfless service to fatherland adding that the event will remain memorable in the troops quest to destroy all violent extremists, insurgents and terrorists, and further spur them to do more for lasting peace and security in their AOR.
Brig Gen Bobbo also led the representative of the COAS to commission a newly renovated block of classroom which he donated to the community as part of the Brigade’s Civil Military Cooperation activity.
The COAS also donated bags of rice to local vigilantes operating at Sarkin Pawa local Government Area and pledged the sum of One Million Naira for the furnishing and provision of needed classroom essentials for the newly renovated school. The highlight of the event was a quarter guard in honour of the representative of the COAS, serving of Sallah lunch to the troops and presentation of souvenirs.
The event had in attendance the representative of Niger State Government, Chairman Niger State House of Assembly Committee on Security and Intelligence, Chairman Munya LGA, Commander 31 Artillery Brigade, Commander 18 Brigade, Commander 1 Provost Group, Chief of Staff OPWP, Commander 1 MIB, Commissioner of Police Niger State Police Command, State Director Department of State Services Niger State, Commandant Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps Niger State, Deputy Director Army Public Relations 1 Division, Traditional, Community and Religious Leaders, and gallant troops of 18 and 31 Artillery Brigades.
