The Chief of Army Staff Lieutenant General Faruk Yahaya has charged the Combat Support Arms to remain focused as they are the major players in the Nigerian Army's bid to completely defeat all non-state actors whose radical activities are instigating chaos across the country.
The COAS gave the charge on Monday while welcoming Corp Commanders and participants and declaring opened the Combat Support Arms Training Week 2022 in Abuja with the theme 'Building Competencies in Combat Support Arms to Enhance Contemporary Nigerian Army Operations in a Joint Environment.
The COAS emphasized that the impact of their inputs remain evident in the successes recorded in the counter-insurgency operations in the North East as well as anti-banditry operations in the North West and North Central parts of the country.
The COAS added that the Nigerian Army having realized the contrast in the approaches required to combat modern asymmetric threats has since adapted its Order of Battle, training and doctrine to effectively address these peculiar challenges.
Lt Gen Yahaya added that the highlight of the Combat Support Arms Training Week has continued to provide the best avenue for participants as well as serving and retired senior military officers to brainstorm and re strategize towards providing effective support to contemporary security operations.
"It is therefore expected that the outcome of this Training Week would further ensure greater professionalism, readiness, administration and cooperation in consonance with the pillars of my command.
"The Nigerian Army has recorded tremendous successes in its activities which would not have been possible without the contributions of the Combat Support Arms. The Combat Support Arms have continued to employ their expertise and unique capabilities to compliment the operational endeavours of the Combat Arms, he noted".
He said that several of the Combat Support Arms of the Nigerian Army are currently domesticating relevant technologies for the manufacture of cost-effective equipment needed to navigate the challenges posed by the difficult-to access international defence markets.
Army Chief therefore commended the leadership of the Nigerian Army Corps of Artillery, Nigerian Army Engineers, Nigerian Army Signals and Nigerian Army Intelligence Corps for their numerous innovations, acquisitions and training geared towards achieving the mission of the Nigerian Army.
Lt Gen Yahaya specifically congratulate the Nigerian Army Intelligence Corps for the upgrades to its technical capabilities which is playing a key role in the monitoring, tracking and apprehension of key members of various criminal groups.
He reaffirmed his commitment to provide the resources and support needed to upgrade standards in achievement of the Nigerian Army's vision.
In his address, the Chief of Military Intelligence, Major General Danladi Salihu said the COSAT Week is an annual Nigerian Army event that provides the platform for personnel of the Combat Support Arms to constructively engage, share ideas and experiences aimed at enhancing effective support to the Nigerian Army in tackling the current hydra-headed security challenges.
Major General Danladi Salihu added that the Combat Support Arms Training Week 2022 is to brainstorm on operational excellence to build capacities to respond and move through the decision cycle faster than the adversary, to produce successful outcomes in support of Nigerian Army operations.
He said, it is expected that the training week will further stimulate the various Combat Support Arms to develop and improve in their areas of professional comparative advantages and specialization. This is in line with the 4 pillars of the Chief of Army Staff's command philosophy which are professionalism, readiness, administration and cooperation.
The Special Guest of honour, FCT Minister, Malam Muhammad Musa Bello in his address thanked the Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen Farouk Yahaya and the entire Nigerian Army for the choice of Abuja as the host city for the training which showcase the very cordial relationship that exists between the good people of the Federal Capital Territory and gallant service men and women.
Mallam Mohammed urged participants as they engaged themselves with the resource persons through the series of lectures and activities lined up for this year's COSAT Week, to also seek for more advanced and indigenous technologies and other means to enhance your operations.
