Insecurity: army to get new weapons, equipment – Minimah

The Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Kenneth Minimah has said the army is getting new and fresh equipment that will enable its fight against terrorism and insurgency in the country. The Army Chief spoke to journalist after declaring open the ‘Chief of Army Staff, Third Quarter Conference 2014,’ comprising Commanders of Army Formations, Department […]

The Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Kenneth Minimah has said the army is getting new and fresh equipment that will enable its fight against terrorism and insurgency in the country.

The Army Chief spoke to journalist after declaring open the ‘Chief of Army Staff, Third Quarter Conference 2014,’ comprising Commanders of Army Formations, Department and Units.

The 3 days quarterly conference is set to appraise the performance of the army in counter insurgency and also to highlight efforts by its formations, is the first convened by the current Chief of Army Staff.

Fielding questions from journalist on equipments available to soldiers, General Mininah said, “Yes! We have equipment, and the federal government is also introducing fresh and newer equipment to us, which will soon be home.”

On the issue of deserting soldiers in counter terrorism operations, He said, “desertion is part of warfare; we must accept that since the Carthiginain wars, soldiers have deserted from battle field.”

He explained that, “now in our own case, we are doing our recruitment now, we are also receiving persuasions from people who want their wards enlisted in the army.”

“Now if we don’t have a through recruitment, mind you there is high level of unemployment on ground, most people want jobs, if that job means joining the army, fine!, it’s a source of employment, but when the reality of military service comes, he drops his riffle and runs away,” Genaral Minimah said.

He further said, “The Nigerian army is performing and I also know the expectation of the Nigerian Citizens, the expectations is rather too in haste, we need some time, we need patience, we are fighting terrorism, we are not fighting a conventional war.”

General Minimah noted that, “Nigerian army is a conventional army, we are also now fighting terrorism, the terrorist is someone you don’t know, maybe someone who sold food to you or fruits to you in the morning, by the afternoon he is a terrorist.”

He also said, “I know the expectation of the Nigerian citizen is that this thing should have been over by yesterday but the reality is that it couldn’t have been over by yesterday, because of the structure and dynamics of fighting this type of terrorism, we are fighting Nigerian citizens, we are not fighting foreigners so caution must be exercised.”

Earlier, before delivering his speech, the Army Chief asked the conference participants to observe a minute silence in acknowledgment of officer and soldiers who have died in counter insurgency battles in the northeastern part of the country.

In his speech, General Minimah while referring to the recent mutinous acts in Maiduguri and reported destruction of properties in Lagos, charged commanders to put all measure in place to check acts of indiscipline, misconduct and unprofessional conduct by troops under their command.

He also said, “in the past six months, my focus has been primarily on tackling the insurgency by Boko Haram terrorist in the northeast, a lot of gains have been made in the various operations but still more needs to be done.”

“We have taken measures to enhance our capabilities through improved training, equipment repairs, and attention to troop’s welfare and motivation. These efforts should be replicated by Commanders at all level, supported by staff officers at the army headquarters,” General Minimah said.