COAS Celebrates Eid-El-Fitr Sallah luncheon with troops of Forward Operation Base (FOB) Sarkin Pawa urges them to redouble their efforts towards ensuring the complete defeat of adversarial elements troubling the nation.
The Chief Of Army Staff (COAS), Lt. Gen. Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja (NAM), has encouraged troops of 1 Division/Operation WHIRL PUNCH to redouble their efforts toward ensuring the complete defeat of adversarial elements troubling the nation and securing their Area of Responsibility (AOR) from violent extremists, insurgents, terrorists, and other criminal elements.
The COAS, represented by the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 1st Division Nigerian Army, Kaduna, Maj. Gen. MLD Saraso, gave the charge during the Special Eid-El-Fitr Sallah luncheon with troops of 18 Brigade and 31 Artillery Brigade at the Forward Operation Base, Sarkin Pawa, Munya Local Government Area of Niger State, on 10th April 2024.
The COAS commended the troops for the successful completion of the Ramadan fasting and urged them to continue fighting for the just cause of keeping Nigeria safe and secure.
He emphasized the importance of creating the right environment for peace and economic prosperity, reassuring the prioritization of the welfare of the personnel.
He further encouraged officers and soldiers to renew their hope and faith in the unity of the nation and pray for continued success.
He expressed his gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his continuous support to the Nigerian Army.
He also thanked the Honourable Minister of Defence, the Chief of Defence Staff, and other Service Chiefs for their support.
Speaking earlier in his capacity as GOC 1 Division, Maj. Gen. MLD Saraso thanked and appreciated the troops for their sacrifices, total loyalty, and commitment. He described the threat matrix in the Division’s AOR as volatile and complex but stated that the Division has been and will continue to remain focused and determined to secure a more suitable and conducive environment for law-abiding citizens to engage in their lawful activities.
He added that the Division has recorded several successes, including the rescue of many kidnap victims and, in recent times, the elimination of several violent extremist leaders like the notorious Kachalla Ali and Boderi Ishiaku alongside many of their foot soldiers.
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He charged the troops not to rest on their oars until there is no safe haven for violent extremists, insurgents, and terrorists in the Division’s AOR.
He extended his immense gratitude to the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. TA Lagbaja NAM, for his immeasurable support, encouragement, leadership, and provision of needed resources for the Sallah feast for troops among other competing needs.
Earlier in his welcome remarks, the host and Commander 31 Artillery Brigade, Brig. Gen. HD Bobbo, welcomed the representative of the COAS to the event and specially thanked him for the great privilege of hosting his troops and that of 18 Brigade for COAS Special Sallah Luncheon.
He appreciated the kindness of the COAS to the troops, stating that it will further give them a great sense of belonging.
He added that the well-thought-out Sallah feast for the troops was a platform to honor and appreciate their gallantry and selfless service to the fatherland, adding that the event will remain memorable in the troops’ quest to destroy all violent extremists, insurgents, and terrorists, and further spur them to do more for lasting peace and security in their AOR.
Brig. Gen. Bobbo also led the representative of the COAS to commission a newly renovated block of a classroom which he donated to the community as part of the Brigade’s Civil Military Cooperation activity.
The COAS also donated bags of rice to local vigilantes operating at Sarkin Pawa local Government Area and pledged the sum of One Million Naira for the furnishing and provision of needed classroom essentials for the newly renovated school.
The highlight of the event was a quarter guard in honor of the representative of the COAS, serving of Sallah lunch to the troops, and presentation of souvenirs.
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