Yemi Adedeji, Abuja
The Nigeria Army says it will review all military operations across the country due to lapses observed among theatre commanders.
Tukur Buratai, the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) disclosed this on Tuesday in Abuja at the COAS Quarterly Conferences. The conference serve as a pedestal for the hierarchy of the Nigerian Army to appraise and discuss its doctrinal, operational and administrative matters as well as other security issues that are crucial to the stability of our country.
This he said was with a view to fashioning out better ways through which the Army could implement the Federal Government’s defence and security policies towards ensuring peace and development of our nation.
Buratai stated: “The need to review the conduct of NA operations across the country has become imperative in view of lapses recently observed among commanders. Some of the lapses observed can be partly attributed to indecisiveness when faced with obvious challenges.
“Hence, the attitude of commanders in the field must change especially towards decision making and taking appropriate action in line with the Rules of Engagements. In this regard, issues of murder, arson and other serious crimes perpetrated by ethnic and local militias, criminals and miscreants must be dealt with decisively.
“Commanders would be held responsible for any lapses arising from their actions or inactions. I have directed the CTOP (A) to set up a high powered team to review all our operations especially where lapses have been observed in order to bring to book all those involved in such cases,”. COAS warned.
Speaking further, Buratai stressed: “Very recently, concerns have been raised by individuals and groups alike about the actions carried out by some units and formations in the course of operations. This has led to very strong comments and criticisms against the Nigerian Army. Some
” Of the strongest comments have come from key citizens in Taraba State. In this regard, I have set up a panel to investigate some of the allegations that have been made, particularly with regards to operations in Taraba State. The panel was tasked to ascertain the veracity of the statements made and the true situation of things in the State. Nonetheless, we must put in more effort to improve our relations with civilians and the citizenry at large through better narratives and media operations.
“Let me state emphatically here that the unity and integrity of Nigeria lies on the military and the NA in particular. Therefore, any act inimical to the unity and integrity of this country by personnel of the NA will be decisively dealt with. The NA must remain apolitical and professionally responsive in the discharge of its constitutional roles.
“GOCs and Field Commanders at all levels are, therefore, warned that anyone that runs foul of his professional ethics will be appropriately dealt with. You are all enjoined to continue to remind officers and soldiers under command to remain non-partisan and be guided by the stipulated code of conduct and rules of engagement in the discharge of their duties particularly in the coming 2019 General Elections,” he said.
