Boko Haram: Nigerian Army Acquires More Arms to Tackle Terrorism

Lieutenant General Azubuike Ihejirika, the Chief of Army Staff, said the authorities have just acquired a cargo of new arms and ammunitions to fight terrorism.

The Army boss revealed this during the opening ceremony of the 2013 convention of the Nigerian Army Regiment Sergeant Majors (RSM), on November 25, 2013, Monday. Lt.-Gen. Ihejirika also informed that the Army’s equipment was not obsolete as alleged.

“Many of our armaments are current ones and more armament are being procured. In fact, a cargo had just arrived Abuja on Friday with so many equipment for our use. Over time, procurement of armaments was slow, but of recent, we have embarked on a lot of procurement to enable us meet the challenges we are facing,” Major General Mohammed D. Abubakar, the Director of Administration, Army Headquarters, who represented the Army boss, said.

Addressing the RSMs drawn from all Army divisions in the country, the Army Chief said the theme of the convention, ‘Enhancing the Capacity of the RSM Towards Effective Unit Administration in the Nigerian Army’ was timely, considering the nature of security challenges the Nigerian Army was grappling with, alongside the expectation of the citizenry.

He, however, tasked the RSMs to participate actively and come out with meaningful suggestions that will take the Army to greater heights.

Earlier in his welcome, the General Officer Commanding, 1 Division Nigerian Army, Major General Garba A. Wahab, noted that the convention was also meant for the RSMs to brainstorm in continuation of issues related to regimentation and professionalism.

Maj.-Gen. A. Wahab concluded that the convention has been a veritable ground for sharing knowledge and ideas, and getting to understand the seriousness of the security challenges facing the country and coming up with ideals to deal with the challenges. 

Leadership