Pulse.ng : Criminal element should be ready for good run, Acting COAS warns

By Mohammed Tijjani

The Acting Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt-Gen. Olufemi Oluyede has sent strong warning to criminals anywhere in the country to abandon their evil ways or be dealt with decisively.

"Criminals out there should be ready for a good run from us, because we are going to go out all for them," Oluyede said after handing over the Nigerian Army Infantry Corps to its 57th commander, Maj.-Gen. Abdul-Khalifa Ibrahim, at the Jaji Military Cantonment, Kaduna State, on Wednesday.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Oluyede was the 56th Commander of the Infantry Corps before his appointment as Acting Chief of Army Staff by President Bola Tinibu.

He advised the the new Commander to keep the flag flying, as Infantry Corps formed the largest chunk of the Nigerian Army, adding that they should also not relent in the retraining of personnel "because soldiers are needed in the field".

He disclosed that his philosophy in the life of a soldier is that "Nobody has the monopoly of violence besides those of us in uniform.

"For the criminals out there, they should be ready for a good run from us because we are going to go out all for them.

"As for Nigerians, we will try as much as possible to make the country more secure for them under my watch."

Earlier, Maj-Gen. Abdul Khalifah Ibrahim thanked the acting COAS for his many years of dedicated service to the Infantry Corps, and the Nigerian Army.

He said , "Oluyede has moved the Infantry Corps forward professionally from where he has met it in terms of laudable initiatives and huge infrastructural improvements.

"The recently held pulling out parade of over 30 generals in Headquarters Infantry Jaji was a well organised event and attest to the leadership and organisational skills of the Ag COAS.

"We'll key into his laudable vision for the Infantry and the Nigerian Army."

He pledged "to lead the Infantry with integrity, courage, honour and utmost dedication, embracing best practices in all I do.

"To my brave and dedicated fellow infantry men, both officers and soldiers, I recognise the sacrifices, resilience and valour that defines our infantry tradition.

" Your selflessness, teamwork and unwavering loyalty inspires all of us."

Ibrahim urged the personnel to continue to embrace the Army's core values of Loyalty, Integrity, Discipline, Selfless Service, Respect for others and Courage in the discharge of their responsibilities.

He also urge them to be diligent, hardworking and proactive so that together, they will "confront challenges head-on, uphold our values, and protect our nation with pride.

"We are open to ideas that would bring the Corps together and make it more cohesive and efficient.

"I wish the 24th COAS, Lt Gen. Oluyede, the very best as he leads the Nigerian Army to greater heights.

"We pray and desire your success in all you do. You can always count on our support Sir," Ibrahim said.

NAN report that the new Commander Infantry Corps is a member of the 39 Regular Course of Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), and hails from Damboa LGA of Borno State.

In the course of his career, Ibrahim served as acting Garrison Commander, 1 Division, Nigerian Army Kaduna; Commander 14 Brigade; General Officer Commanding 7 Division, and commanded the Multi National Joint Task Force, with headquarters in Ndjamena, Chad.

The Acting COAS, after the ceremony, addressed troops and inspected ongoing projects at Command Secondary School within Jaji Military Cantonment.(NAN)