By Evelyn Usman

The Chief of Army Staff, COAS Lt.Gen. Faruk Yahaya , has charged troops of the Nigerian Army in theaters of war across the country to work in synergy with other s security agencies if the fight against insurgency and other acts of criminalities must be won.

This is just as he has disclosed that the Army through its rotation plan would soon rotate troops who have stayed long in the North East operation .

He stated this yesterday at the 65 Battalion parade ground, while briefing troops under 81 Division of the Nigerian Army , as part of activities lined up for his maiden visit .

While appreciating the soldiers for the good work they were doing in addressing insecurity in Nigeria, he however,advised them not to rest on their oars but to improve on their operations.

Emphasizing on the need to work in synergy with other services and security agencies, Yahaha, said, “The enemy we are facing in terms of security challenges are within and they interact with the people in the community. That is why we must remain professional in what we do and walk in synergy with other services and other agencies .

“What you don’t see, another element will see. What you can’t do, the other lament will do. No service or agency can do it alone. Each agency has skills and competence it can bring to the table and our job is to harness this. That is why we emphasize working with other agencies. When we join hands together, we can improve.

“Work in harmony with other agencies and work professionally .Treat the enemy as enemy and relate well with other law abiding citizens”.

Reminding the troops that Lagos was a cosmopolitan state, he urged them to be alert and was quick to warn them not to indulge in any unprofessional act.

He said: “Don’t allow yourself to be carried away by unprofessional acts. If you remain the competent soldiers that you are and you do your things according to our provisions , then we’ll have no problem”.

He challenged the Non Commission Officers ,NCOs Warrant Officers and Senior Warrant Officers to inculcate the Army values on their subordinates, adding that they must live by example in order to justify their actions while reprimanding their subordinates.

He said, “The NCOs and senior NCOs, Warrant Officers and Master Warrant Officers have a responsibility to bring up those that are under them because they have experience. The best way to live is by example. You have to be on time before you can chastise somebody for coming late. You have to be well dressed before you can tell someone that he is not well dressed”.

He also advised them to check on their colleagues’ families, especially those whose fathers were serving in the North East.

He said, “There are many that are not here. They are on operations at various places. We are making efforts to ensure that those who have stayed long in the North East are well rotated. We have an efficient rotation plan that is currently steadily going on.

“But When they are not here , you should be their brothers’ keepers by checking on their families and rendering whatever support is needed because someday, it will be your turn to be away”.

He explained that the visit was to afford him first hand information on the need of the division, promising to look into the Division’s challenges as highlighted in a meeting with the General Officer Commanding 81 Division, Maj. Gen. Lawrence Fejokwu and his management team .

The COAS also commissioned several projects and also laid the foundation for some new ones among which was the Corporal and Below accommodation at Bonny Camp .

They also included the ground breaking ceremony of 2 by 30 flats officers transit accommodation; 2 by 36 family CBQs at Bonny Cantonment ; inspection of palliative measures on shoreline protection; commissioning of medical reception station and Commanding Officers Tied down quarters, among others.