COAS commissions vanquish armoured tankers against terrorism 

…We are committed to kinetic and non-kinetic operations- Army Chief

The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt. Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, has said the Nigerian Army is committed towards aligning its kinetic and non-kinetic operations with the dynamic nature of the operating environment.

Speaking at the First 2025 Bi-Annual (COAS) Conference held in Maiduguri on Thursday, Lt. Gen Oluyede said, This pivotal gathering will deliver strategic foresight, operational alignment and insight into where military and community engagements converge.

The meeting is coming at a time when some parts of the North East, especially in Borno state, are witnessing renewed Boko Haram/ISWAP attacks and another form of criminality.

This is as the COAS unveiled a new Vanquish Armoured Tanker, which was handed over to the Chief Host, the Theatre Commander North East ‘Operation Hadin Kai’, Major General Abdulsalam Abubakar.

Each of the New Vanquish Armoured Tankers, according to the staff of the company, Engineer Ishaku Duw, has Night Goggle Vision, can move for over 80 km on flat tyres, all suspension changes and 360° (Degree) protection.

He pointed out that during the 3-Day deliberation on topical issues, the Nigerian Army under his watch will identify areas for improvement and develop practical solutions that will strengthen effectiveness in safeguarding the nation’s peace and security.

General Oluyede enjoined Nigerian Armed Forces not to allow the current setback to dampen their spirit, but to develop commitment, sacrifices and practical strategies to end insurgency, banditry, kidnapping and other forms of crimes in the country.

He noted that despite the renewed pockets of attacks in the North East, North West and other parts of the country, there is no cause for alarm, as the Nigerian Army and other security agencies are fully committed in bringing lasting peace and development under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda (RHA).

His words: ” It is my pleasure to join you all here in the MSA Aliyu Hall, Command Guest House, Maiduguri, for the Chief of Army Staff First Bi-Annual Conference 2025. The highlights from the deliberations have been well received and will certainly assist in guiding the decisions and directives that shall stem from this Conference.

“As we continue with the schedule of activities today, I expect that this pivotal gathering will deliver strategic foresight, operational alignment and insight into where military and community
Engagements converge.

“During the deliberation on topical issues, our goal will be to identify areas for improvement and develop practical solutions that will strengthen our effectiveness in safeguarding the
nation’s peace and security.

“Recall that during the Chief of Army Staff Annual Conference 2024, I acknowledged the need for the Nigerian. Army to commit towards aligning our kinetic and non-kinetic operations with the dynamic nature of the operating environment.

“It is evident that the terrorists have adopted new strategies that are aimed at shaping the battlespace in their favour.

Continuing he said, “We have recorded a number of incidents where our b, brave warriors have paid the sacrifice in the performance of their legitimate duty. The loss of these brave men is lamentable and serves as a painful reminder of the depth of sacrifice that the officers and men of the Nigerian Army continue to make in the defence of our great nation, Nigeria.

“However, we must not allow these setbacks to dampen our spirit or diminish our collective resolve to stamp out that which seeks to ridicule the sanctity of our sovereignty.

“As the Nigerian Army continues to prioritise its efforts for the best possible results, the ability to collaborate with the Nigerian Navy, the Nigerian Air Force, other security agencies and institutions at the federal and state government levels has aided us in fulfilling our mandate.

“Therefore, as we continue our deliberations and discussions, we must not forget the opportunities that inter-agency cooperation borne from effective collaborations affords us and its multiplier effect on our operations,” Oluyede concluded.