Nigeria will win the war against terrorism, insurgency, and banditry if the planned establishment of Army Aviation succeeds and the night fighting capabilities of the Nigerian Army Infantry Corps are improved......Read The Full Article>>.....Read The Full Article>>
Former commander infantry corps, Major General Victor Ezugwu (rtd), stated this in his farewell address, during the Pulling Out Parade ceremony organised by the Infantry Corps Centre, Jaji in honour of himself and 28 other Infantry Generals recently retired from the Nigerian Army.
Major General Ezugwu (rtd), who served as the Special Guest of Honour and Reviewing Officer at the colourful Pulling Out Parade said, Colombia fought international security challenges similar to Nigeria’s for 52 years, but the country defeated its adversaries with the establishment of aviation corps for its Army.
General Ezugwu said: “We note with great hype the efforts of the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Taoreed Lagbaja to operationalize the Nigerian Army Aviation Corps. This will not only deal a fatal blow to the adversary Centre of Gravity but also change the tempo of the game in our favour.
“I was privileged to go to Colombia with Lt. General Tukur Yusuf Buratai when he was the Chief of Army Staff in 2016. They told us that, they fought their crisis like we have had in Nigeria for 52 years, but the moment they established their Army Aviation, they went on their enemies and gave close support to the infantry and other armed forces and they were able to defeat their enemies.
“So, I am praying and wishing the Nigerian Army well, that this Army Aviation that the Chief of Army Staff is driving, is going to get the support of Mr President so that we can finish this business once and for all so that Nigerians can rest.
“As my colleagues and I bid you all farewell today, we wish to admonish the Infantry Corps to review some of its tactical and operational strategies in the areas of night fighting capabilities, frontline intelligence gathering on enemy activities, basic field crafts training in the areas of aggressive fighting patrols to dominate at least 5 km radius of their locations, Ambushes, listening and observation posts as well as all levels of battle drills.
“The enemies often attack us in the night, maybe because they think we are weak in the night. The moment we can enforce that night training and we perfect all the actions we need to do when the enemies are on us, I am sure we are going to defeat all our enemies flat.
“Furthermore, we advocate the employment of modern technology and Information and Computer Technology enablers as well as deliberate efforts to develop leadership skills of junior commanders.
“Considering the sound pedigree of the current Chief of Army Staff Lt Gen Lagbaja whom I consider a very capable hand and a General of high professional standing and character, the Nigerian Army and Infantry Corps will not let the Armed Forces of Nigeria down.
“With these and other suggestions, I am sure Nigeria is going to witness absolute peace in a few moments to come.
“As we finally bid farewell to the Queen of the Battle Family, I want to encourage all our successors to not only sustain our modest strategic, operational and tactical achievements but also try to surpass them by yielding to nothing whatsoever.
“It has become highly imperative to do so as our Country has never been faced with grave security challenges as it is being witnessed today. The frontline is expanding and the Nigerian Army is becoming increasingly committed with the eyes of the nation and the world on it.
“Our Infantry Corps must therefore not relent or rest on her oars as the entire Nigerian Army depends largely on the Infantry Corps to achieve its Core Mandate and mission.
“Let me also admonish the Infantry that as the threats to Nigeria’s sovereignty is becoming asymmetric in time and space, you must be proactively way ahead of our adversaries in all aspects of the unfolding combat scenarios.
“I am strongly convinced that we are leaving behind tested and trusted officers and soldiers as capable successors who will leverage the quality of training, guidance, and mentorship we have given them over the years to defeat our adversaries.
“Be rest assured that my colleagues and I will be glad and willing to avail the Infantry Corps of our time, energy, and resources until our last breath on earth,” he said.
On behalf of himself and the 28 other Infantry Generals, including 19 Major Generals and 10 Brigadier Generals, Ezugwu announced a donation of N1million and 200 books and an encyclopedia to the Infantry Corps Centre to promote training, reading culture, mentorship, and capacity development of Infantry officers and soldiers.
The Infantry Corps Commander and the Host of the pulling-out ceremony, Major General Olufemi Oluyede, wished the retired generals well and said the corps will continue to tap from their wealth of experience and expertise.
