African News
COAS: We Have Denied Terrorists Space to Smear the Sanctity of Nigeria’s Sovereignty
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede, on Wednesday, said the Nigerian Army had risen to the occasion to deny terrorists the opportunity to disrupt Nigeria’s socio-cultural heritage or smear the sanctity of her sovereignty.
He also assured the people that the Nigerian Army would not relent in its efforts to ensure the security of the Nigerian people and the perpetuity of her democracy.
Oluyede said this while briefing defence correspondents on activities lined up for the Nigerian Army Day Celebration 2025.
Represented by the Chief of Civil-Military Affairs (Army), Major General Chibuisi Gold, the Army Chief stated, “In recent times, our nation has had to contend with the enemies of peace and agents of chaos who have brought terrorism to our borders and caused a plethora of internal security issues.
“The Nigerian Army Day Celebration provides an opportunity to showcase our achievements thus far and deepen collaboration with various stakeholders towards enhancing peace, security, and the defence of our national values.
“The theme of the Nigerian Army Day Celebration 2025, which is ‘Developing the Soldier First Concept: Imperative for Nigerian Army’s Transformation Drive’, was carefully selected as it espouses our renewed drive to transform the Army by placing our soldiers first.
“The Nigerian Army, as an instrument of national unity, integration, and development, has made significant strides in innovation, research and development, civil-military relations, and technological advancement to better equip the soldier to carry out his constitutional responsibilities.”
Noting that the Nigerian Army Day Celebration, which was first held in 1978, was observed annually to commemorate the establishment of the Nigerian Army, Oluyede stated that it also marked the day the first shot was fired at Garkem to recognise and honour the heroic contributions of officers and soldiers, past and present.
The Nigerian Army, he said, had since grown exponentially, surmounting all challenges that every generation of our forebears has had to contend with.
