The Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, on Saturday charged newly trained soldiers to confront terrorists, bandits and other criminal groups with courage and professionalism, while strictly adhering to human rights standards and the Rules of Engagement.
Shaibu gave the charge during the Passing Out Parade of the 90 Regular Recruit Intake held at the Depot of the Nigerian Army in Zaria, Kaduna State, where hundreds of recruits formally completed their basic military training and were inducted into active service.
The Army Chief said the new soldiers were entering service at a critical moment in Nigeria’s ongoing security operations, noting that they would play frontline roles in efforts to restore peace and stability across troubled regions of the country.
According to him, the recruits had undergone rigorous training in conventional warfare as well as specialised counter-terrorism and counter-insurgency operations, equipping them to confront emerging security threats across different theatres of operation.
“You are now part of a force charged with the responsibility of defending Nigeria’s territorial integrity and protecting its citizens,” he told the graduating soldiers.
Shaibu, however, cautioned that while the Army remained determined to deny criminal elements any safe haven, all operations must be conducted in line with international humanitarian law and the military’s rules of engagement.
He stressed that professionalism, discipline and respect for human rights were critical to sustaining public trust and the legitimacy of military operations in internal security engagements.
The COAS also commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, for his continued support in strengthening the Army’s operational capacity and combat readiness.
He urged the new recruits to justify the confidence reposed in them by demonstrating loyalty, discipline, courage and unwavering commitment to constitutional authority.
Shaibu further warned against the misuse of social media, cautioning that the unauthorised disclosure of operational information or unprofessional online conduct could compromise missions and endanger troops in the field.
He advised the soldiers to remain vigilant in their digital conduct, noting that information discipline was now an essential component of modern warfare.
The Passing Out Parade marked the official end of the recruits’ basic training and their transition into full-fledged soldiers, expected to be deployed to various operational commands across the country as part of ongoing counter-insurgency and anti-banditry campaigns
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