By Abdullahi Alhassan Kaduna
Lieutenant General Faruk Yahaya, the Nigerian Army’s Chief of Army Staff (COAS), paid a visit to the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) to discuss the recent security breach there.
The COAS went to the Academy to get a personal account of the occurrence and sympathize with Major General Ibrahim M Yusuf, the commandant of the NDA, and the NDA community. General LEO Irabor, the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), previously paid a similar solidarity visit to the Academy.
Major General Ibrahim M Yusuf, Commandant NDA, briefed the COAS about the security breach into the Academy that occurred on August 24, 2021, in his welcome address.
Major Bashir Muhammed Jajira, the Academy Public Relations Officer, sent a press statement to journalists in Kaduna.
He thanked the COAS for his encouragement and support for the Academy both before and after the incident, highlighting the efforts to ensure the safe return of the abducted officer.
He commended the COAS in particular for converting the Academy Demonstration unit to a full-fledged battalion, providing six gun trucks to the Academy, posting in more instructors and staff, and providing a slew of other operational enablers to improve the Academy’s and its environs’ security. The Commandant notified the COAS that these assistance measures have significantly improved the staff’s morale and the Academy’s security.
The commandant also informed the COAS on new security measures being implemented in Kaduna State in collaboration with 1 Division Nigerian Army, Nigerian Air Force, and other security agencies to prevent future security breaches at the Academy. He stated that this incident has strengthened the Academy Community’s bond, and that they have pledged to provide unwavering support and prevent future occurrences.
The COAS stated in his remarks that he was in the Academy to get a personal account of the recent security breach and to reassure the Commandant and personnel of the Academy of the Nigerian Army’s support and solidarity in the fight against insecurity.
The COAS also praised the efforts of the Commandant NDA, the GOC 1 Division, the Air Officer Commanding Air Training Command, and other security officials in Kaduna State to ensure the safe return of the abducted officer. He also informed the Academy that the Nigerian Army will give them more operational enablers to improve the Academy’s security.
The COAS also praised the efforts of the Commandant NDA, the GOC 1 Division, the Air Officer Commanding Air Training Command, and other security officials in Kaduna State in ensuring the safe return of the abducted officer. He also informed the Academy that the Nigerian Army will give more operational enablers to the Academy to further enhance its security. The COAS assured that the culprits of this horrific act would be brought to justice no matter how long it took. He urged the Commandant not to be discouraged and to be focused on the outstanding work he is doing at the Academy. Before leaving the Academy, COAS conducted an on-the-spot inspection of the incident scene.