By Kingsley Omonobi
ABUJA— Against the backdrop of renewed unrest in the Niger Delta resulting in the destruction of the nation’s oil assets, as well as sectarian violence in parts of the country, President Goodluck Jonathan has issued a new mandate to the armed forces and that is “immediate elimination of kidnapping, militancy and sectarian violence.”

Consequently, the Nigeria Army has commenced the implementation of a new Order of Battle, ORBAT, leading to the formation of a new Special Brigade for the Force to be located within the 82 Division Area of Responsibility.

Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Azubuike Ihejirika who made the disclosure yesterday at the COAS Annual Conference in Abuja pledged that “no effort will be spared in the bid to accomplish this task even as he implored all segments of the Nigerian Army to be ready to ensure the actualization of the President’s directive.

Towards this end, the COAS announced that the “Nigeria Army has commenced the implementation of a new Order of Battle, ORBAT, as part of the strategic response to these contemporary challenges.”

Said the Army Chief: “At the domestic front, the nation is currently confronting the challenges of increasing threats to internal security. The renewed incidences of Boko Haram, militancy, menace of kidnapping and armed banditry pose serious threat to national security and socio-economic development.

“Bombing incidents have introduced terrorist’s dimensions to the security situation.

These coupled with the recent discovery of large cache of arms and ammunition at the Apapa Port and the illegal trafficking in small arms and light weapons across the country make the situation very worrisome.

“It is against this background that the theme for this year’s conference, ‘The Nigeria Army in Emerging Global Security Challenges’ was formulated.

Adding. The theme is also in line with my vision which is ‘To Transform the Nigeria Army into a Force Better Able to Meet Contemporary Challenges’.

On the 2011 elections, the Army Chief assured the nation of absolute loyalty to the democracy and its sustenance saying, “As the nation moves closer to the 2011 elections, let me reassure Mr. President that the Nigeria Army will remain apolitical and committed to the sustenance of democracy”.

While reaffirming “our unalloyed loyalty to Mr. President and the Constitution of the federal republic of Nigeria, Ihejirika said. “I have visited some divisions and a number of operation areas to have on the ground assessment of their state of readiness.

I was shocked at the level of dilapidation of accommodation, infrastructure and equipment in some barracks”.

“I also observed among other things the need for a more realistic training, responsive leadership and additional logistics support, especially in the area of armoured and soft skin patrol vehicles.

These logistics deficiencies are also manifest in our involvement in peace support operations”.

Regarding transformation he said, “Transforming for effective service delivery will also require changing ‘our attitudes and mindset through value orientation, exemplary leadership, patriotism, innovation, high standard of realistic training, operational efficiency and discipline” adding “A gentleman officer should be judged by his strength of character, professional knowledge and expertise, and not by parochial sentiments”.

In his address, President Jonathan who was represented by minister of state Defence, Alhaji Shehu Yar’Adua noted that the theme of the conference was very apt at this time of the nation’s history.

His words, “The emerging dimension of threat to national security that is rearing its ugly head in our nation is a challenge that must be confronted headlong and defeated”.

“The spate of violent crimes in parts of the country, including kidnapping, armed robbery, assassinations and so on are contemporary security challenges facing our nation.

The unfortunate act of terrorism that was unleashed on the nation with the October 1 bomb blast is another emerging threat by some unpatriotic and undemocratic elements in the country”.

“The Nigeria army must be ready to do all within its capability to partner with other security agencies to address these security challenges”.