In a statement issued by Director Army Public Relations, Brig. General Mohammed Yerima, the Senate Committee on Army led by its Chairman, Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume was at Army Headquarters, first since the assumption of office by the COAS, to formally congratulate him on his appointment and to appreciate the sacrifices being made by the Nigerian Army in various operations across the country.
Senetor Ndume in his remarks stated that the visit was also to acquaint the COAS with observations and findings during the oversight visits by the Committee to Nigerian Army formations and Units.
In his response, the COAS thanked the Committee for the visit which he said was timely and afforded the leadership of the Nigerian Army an opportunity to interact and discuss issues that would impact positively on the its activities and operations.
He said the visit will strengthen the cordial relationship between the Nigerian Army and the National Assembly, stressing that the Nigerian Army requires more equipment such as armoured fighting vehicles and various combat enablers to confront insurgency and other security threats across the country.
The Acting Inspector General of Police, IGP Usman Alkali Baba who was also visiting the Army Headquarters for the first time since his appointment, reiterated the imperative imperative of synergy among security agencies.
He stated that they are all working along functional lines to combat security challenges in the country and to ultimately restore normalcy to troubled areas.
The acting IGP who was accompanied on the visit by some of his principal staff officers also said his visit was to seek further collaboration and synergy with the Nigerian Army in tackling insecurity in the country.
According to him, the collaboration and synergy will match forces to confront insurgency, banditry and other criminalities confronting the country. He said the Nigerian security environment is currently dicey and security forces especially Nigeria Police Force ( NPF) and the Nigerian Army are central in bringing the situation under control.
He commended the Nigerian Army under the leadership of Lt Gen Ibrahim Attahiru for the successes recently recorded in the North East and other flashpoints around the country. He assured of Nigeria Police commitment towards collaboration with the Nigerian Army and other security agencies in maintaining law and order.
The COAS in his response thanked the Acting Inspector General of Police for the visit. He congratulated him on his recent appointment by President Muhammadu Buhari which he said is a reflection of the confidence reposed on him by Mr President.
He added that the appointment came at a time when the country was facing myriads of security challenges that needed urgent and sustained intervention. He urged him to bring to bear his wealth of experience in policing to save the situation.
COAS also congratulated the officers and men of the NPF for sacrifices and loyalty in the discharge of their constitutional roles. He used to medium to reassure the NPF of Nigerian Army's support.
Highpoints of the visits were the presentations of souvenirs, signing of visitors register and group photographs.
