The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt. Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, has urged troops of the Nigerian Army (NA) to make the country safer and more secured to ensure the safety and well-being of all Nigerians.

The COAS gave the charge while addressing the troops at the parade ground during his maiden Operational visit to the 12 Brigade Nigerian Army (NA), Charimaigumeri Barracks Lokoja, on Sunday.

He commended the troops for their good work and sacrifice in maintaining national security, defending the country’s sovereignty, and upholding its interests.

“When you look at the security challenges in the Northwest, Northeast, North Central and other parts of the country, you will know that there is a need to do more.

“As it is now, every Nigerian is looking up to us to make the country safer, and this will entail more commitment, more sense of duty, responsibility, and more courage on our part,” he said.

The COAS reaffirmed his commitment to prioritizing the welfare of soldiers and their families, recognizing their sacrifices and commitment to the nation.

He said that the NA under his leadership had doubled the ration cash allowance (RCA), Instructors’ allowance as well as affordable housing scheme to enable soldiers to have their own houses after retirement.

Gen Oluyede also assured the troops of regular provision of uniforms, kits and combat enablers, improved office and residential accommodation, as well as access to a soft loan scheme for challenged troops.

He, therefore, urged the soldiers to take advantage of the soft loan and housing schemes by keying in to them and having houses of their own after leaving service.

He further assured that the NA would continue to do its very best within the available resources to ensure that things get better for the troops and their families.

He added: “As my own philosophy, I am going to do my very best to make things better for you and by extension the officers under us, so that we can have a better Army, better welfare and better life for you and your families.

“If there is no security there can’t be development, so it is a collective responsibility to make Nigeria safer and more secured, so that Nigeria can develop and your children can have a better country to live in.

“As your leader, I am going to do my utmost best to make things better for you, but you must be more committed to making Nigeria safer”.

The COAS further advised the troops to always live according to their earnings, while cautioning them against extravagant lifestyle.

The Commander 12 Brigade NA Lokoja, Brig. -Gen. Kasim Sidi, led the COAS and his entourage on an inspection tour to some executed and ongoing projects within the barracks.

The COAS also performed groundbreaking ceremonies for the construction of an electrically powered borehole with a 6000-litre capacity and the foundation laying for three blocks of two-bedroom, two-family semi-detached senior non-commission officers’ quarters.

The COAS also inspected the remodelled and upgraded 12 Brigade Medical Centre.

In the entourage of the COAS was the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 2 Division, Maj. -Gen. Obinna Onubogu, and other senior officers in the Nigerian Army.