By Chijioke Kingsley
Abuja (Sundiata Post) – Every July, the Nigerian Army as usual celebrates its annual day, the Nigerian Army Day Celebration (NADCEL), which usually avails the Army a unique opportunity to showcase its capabilities and also reach out to its host community.
It’s usually a long week event which usually ends with a Show of Force.
For the 2024 celebration, Jos, the Plateau State Capital was chosen by the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt. Gen Taoreed Lagbaja to host the event, for some obvious reasons.
The focus was for some key reasons owing to the fact that peace has finally been achieved in the State.
This is indeed very commendable in view of the prevailing security challenges that engulfed the State before the coming of the General Officer Commanding (GOC) and the Commander, Operation Safe Haven (OPSH), Maj.-General Abdusalam Abubakar.
For this year’s commemoration with the Theme: “Transforming the Nigerian Army Imperative for Combating Contemporary Security Challenges Within a Joint Environment”, the Army marks its 161 years anniversary which started on July 6th and ended 13th July, 2024.
The Army Chief Lagbaja, had said NADCEL is a celebration of one of the greatest armies in the world.
“The Nigerian Army was ranked very high in the Global Firepower Index, 2024”, Lagbaja had said.
However, the reason for Jos was to acknowledge the modest achievements and immense role and contributions of the GOC, Gen. Abubakar to the peace and security of Plateau which has hitherto herald development.
Before the coming of the OPSH Commander, a lot has happened in the State.
Speaking to with a stakeholder at the occasion, a government appointee, Brig.-Gen. Gakji Shipi (rtd) the Special Adviser, Security and Homeland Safety, to Governor Caleb Mutfwang, he said: “Now that the Nigerian Army is celebrating its day in Jos, it is time for sober reflection, and critical reappraisal from the perspective of someone who has witnessed many civil unrest in the State.
“I have seen it all and can tell you for free that the current GOC has done a fantastic job in keeping the State in one piece after several killings that took place in Mangu in April 2023, upon his arrival to resume work here.
“The past months have been quite interesting and have given me ample opportunity to reflect and have additional perspective about the work of the GOC as I have mingled among fellow civilians and gained more insight about the public’s feelings and perception of this fine Army General and his strategies of bringing peace back to the State.
“Surprisingly, it is full of praise with a little knock. Most people have a good understanding of the GOC and are full of commendation, while a few are ill-informed and ignorant of the Commander’s efforts.
“Therefore, they do not appreciate or understand the complexities and sacrifices of the Army General let alone appreciate his noble contributions to our peace, security and national development.
“But the most worrisome aspect is the fact that some unpatriotic politicians, detractors and disgruntled elements who envy the successes and achievements of the leadership of the GOC, for some inexplicable reasons, seem to be behind these campaigns of calumny.
“They are the ones fanning the embers of hatred, disinformation and false narratives about the peace attained so far”, he said.
Our correspondent reports that within the past few months alone, the GOC under the able leadership of the COAS and grand strategic direction of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has made giant strides in various spheres of endeavour that cut across operations, training, administration and logistics.
The welfare of troops deployed to various strategic flash points of unrest has dramatically improved. Its order of battle has been greatly modified with new formations and units created to reflect the needs and difficulties of the time.
These include the creation of Step-Up Mangu Headquarters, with other additional Divisions, Commands, numerous brigades, units and subunits.
Its dynamism in tactical and operational maneuvers has brought about the setting up of super camps and motorcycle battalions.
The operations are ever dynamic, responding to the changing security situations and terrorists modus operandi. Training schools have been upgraded and adequately funded and equipped.
This year’s celebration, though very modest, has recorded the highest number of commissioned projects and humanitarian activities in various parts of the States and Bauchi State, in the recent history of the Nigerian Army.
One other reason to further doff our hats for the GOC is the way he rose to the occasion on assuming office by last year, just a day to his assumption, he relocated the OPSH headquarters to Mangu to quell the unfortunate crisis in the community.
Despite being occupied with operations, the GOC ensures strict adherence to rules of engagement.
Therefore, the Nigerian Army has every reason to celebrate its long week event NADCEL, in Jos based on these accomplishments and for the sake of morale.
Nevertheless, despite these modest achievements, some pessimists have not seen the reason for celebration, pointing at the security challenges in the northeast and northwest geopolitical zones particularly.
However, if we recall the state of affairs, particularly, in the northeast before 2015, we have every cause to glorify God and thank the military and security agencies and in particular, the Nigerian Army for dealing decisively with the Boko Haram terrorists in the northeast.
The terrorists have been drastically degraded and denied freedom of action, the Army has continued to do its best and is determined to succeed in that regard, our correspondent emphasized.
