Nigerian Army has assured the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA).
Gatekeepers News reports that the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Nigerian Army, Lieutenant General Faruk Yahaya has assured that the Nigerian Army would provide additional operational enablers to further enhance the security of the Academy.
Yahaya gave this assurance during a courtesy visit to Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) on Tuesday 31 August 2021 over the recent security breach in the Academy.
NDA Spokesman, Bashir Jajira in a statement he signed on Wednesday, September 1, said the COAS visited the Academy to get a firsthand brief on the incident and to commiserate with the Commandant NDA, Maj Gen IM Yusuf, and the NDA community.
The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General LEO Irabor, earlier paid a similar solidarity visit to the Academy on August 24, 2021.
The COAS commended the Commandant NDA, the GOC 1 Division, the Air Officer Commanding Air Training Command, and heads of other security agencies in Kaduna State in the ongoing efforts to ensure the safe return of the abducted officer.
Yahaya appealed to the NDA staff to remain loyal to the nation and not allow the unfortunate incident to deter them from their ultimate objective of grooming officer cadets for the Armed Forces of Nigeria.
While stressing that the fight against insecurity must be a collective effort, the COAS urged all officers, soldiers, and civilian staff in the Academy to remain vigilant.
Yahaya further asserted that no matter how long it takes, the perpetrators of this heinous act would be brought to justice.
The COAS who undertook an on-the-spot assessment of the scene of the incident before departing the Academy urged the Commandant not to be deterred, but to remain focus on the good job he is doing.
Earlier on the occasion, the NDA Commandant in his welcome address briefed the COAS on the security breach into the Academy which occurred on 24 August 2021.
Yusuf expressed his appreciation to the COAS for his encouragement and support for the Academy before and after the incident, particularly the efforts being made to ensure the safe return of the abducted officer.
The Academy in the statement noted that the Commandant “particularly thanked the COAS for upgrading the Academy Demonstration battalion to a full-fledged battalion, provision of six gun trucks to the Academy, posting in of more instructors and staff, and the provision of other numerous operational enablers to enhance the security of the Academy and its environs.”
The statement read further, “the Commandant informed the COAS that these support measures have really boosted the morale of the staff and the security of the Academy. The commandant also briefed the COAS on the new security measures being taken in collaboration with 1 Division Nigerian Army, the Nigerian Air Force, and other security agencies in Kaduna State to prevent any future security breach in the Academy.”
Rather than deterring the morale of the Academy, the Commandant assured that “this incident has actually reinforced the cohesion of the entire Academy Community who have vowed to provide formidable support and prevent future occurrence.”
