The Governor of Kaduna State, Gov. Nasir el-rufai has called for the sustained momentum of operations into terrorists’ enclaves to ensure the end of banditry and other security challenges in the state.
The Governor made the call at the opening of the Nigerian Army 2022 Combat Arms Training Week at Jaji Military Cantonment in Kaduna.
The combat arms are the Infantry and armour Corps of the army who, specially and directly, are involved in battle.
El-rufa’i, represented by Mr. Samuel Aruwan, the Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, said sustained operations into terrorists’ enclaves would maximally reduce the numerous security challenges, which have impeded the pace of national development.
He underscored the expediency and need for collaboration in fighting Nigeria’s real and perceived adversaries, to restore national pride and dignity.
According to the governor, the Infantry and Armoured Corps of the Nigerian Army (NA) are the leading elements of the actual fighting with all enemies of the state. He also noted that since Nigeria’s Independence, the duo had continued to play a key role in ensuring stability within and outside the country.
“Nigeria’s history of unity, peace and progress cannot be written without giving outstanding credit to the Nigerian Army,” El-rufa’i said.
He also called for a holistic review of collaborative security strategy at all levels, and the right attitude among all stakeholders.
“The current challenges demand that we all rejuvenate, calibrate and strive diligently to sustain optimal levels of cooperation.
“Anything less than a fully collaborative spirit may turn our best efforts into liabilities, instead of assets to the entire security architecture.
“With the current posture of the Nigerian Army, I am optimistic that the security challenges bedevilling the nation will be addressed within the shortest time possible, through effective training such as this.
“It is therefore not out of place that the combat arms are making efforts to train jointly in preparation for future operational engagements,” El-rufa’i said.
The governor commended the Army, whose professional response, according to him, helped to forestall further damages during the recent terrorist attack on passengers aboard a Kaduna-bound train from Abuja in March.
He urged the Army not to relent in the efforts to find the perpetrators of the act and bring them all to justice or, to their bitter end.