Acting COAS Issues Warning To Criminals
The Acting Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt-Gen. Olufemi Oluyede has warned criminals across 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 all out 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 in Kaduna State.
Oluyede was the 56th Commander of the Infantry Corps when he was appointed as Acting Chief of Army Staff by President Bola Tinibu.
He advised the the new Commander to keep the flag flying as the Infantry Corps has 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 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 all out for them. As for Nigerians, we will try as much as possible to make the country more secure for them.”
In his remarks, Maj-Gen. Abdul-Khalifa Ibrahim thanked the acting COAS for his many years of dedicated service to the Infantry Corps, and the Nigerian Army.
“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.”
On his part, the new commander pledged to “lead the Infantry with integrity, courage, honour and utmost dedication, embracing best practices”.
He also addressed the officers and men of the Corps. “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, and uphold the values of the Corps to protect the 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.
The new Infantry Corps commander is a member of the 39 Regular Course of Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), and hails from Damboa LGA, Borno State.
He had as acting Garrison Commander, 1 Division, Nigerian Army Kaduna; Commander 14 Brigade; General Officer Commanding 7 Division, and also commanded the Multi National Joint Task Force, with headquarters in Ndjamena, Chad, among other responsibilities.
