Operation Safe Conduct  Army War College Commandant Urges Nigerian Army Personnel to Key into COAS Code of Conduct/Rules of Engagement, Maintain Army Integrity

As the 2023 general elections draw near, officers and soldiers of the Nigerian Army have been tasked to key into the code of conduct and rules of aengagement for “Operation Safe Conduct” signed by the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen Faruk Yahaya towards discharging their duties professionally during the elections.

Commandant, Army War College, Nigeria, Major Gen Bamidele Alabi made this disclosure at the “Sensitization Workshop on Upholding Professional Ethics of the NA and Promoting Professional and Social Responsibility of the Nigerian Soldier” organized by the Army Headquarters Garrison, Abuja.

Major Gen Alabi who was the Guest of honour at the occasion said, “We are all aware that the attention of the international community will focus on our dear country Nigeria during the elections next year and particular attention is always paid to the roles we play during the elections.

“So far, the Armed Forces of Nigeria, particularly the NA which is most visible during such elections has lived above board. And in order to maintain it, and even improve on this record, all hands are on deck to ensure that we remain apolitical and discharge our roles professionally during the elections.

“In this regards, the COAS has already signed the Code of Conduct and Rules of Engagement for NA Personnel during Operation Safe Conduct 2023 which has been distributed to all formations and units. This shows the importance the COAS appends to our conduct during the forthcoming elections”.

Regarding the workshop, Alabi said, “This Sensitization Workshop could not have been held at a more auspicious time than now for so many cogent reasons. First and foremost, the contemporary security environment which we seek to influence positively is volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous.

“So many factors contribute to making it so, such as the versatility of social media which has made every individual holding an android phone a freelance journalist.

“Second is the fact that the environment has become inherently joint with the military, political leadership and the populace all working towards achieving the same goal.

“Indeed, this must have been one of the considerations that informed the Vision of the COAS of “A Professional Nigerian Army Ready to Accomplish Assigned Missions within a Joint Environment in Defence of Nigeria”.

Commending the foresight of the Commander AHQ Garrisson in articulating the objectives of this workshop, Alabi said, “These include educating troops on how to conduct themselves professionally during international and internal operations including Counter Terrorism and Counter Insurgency Operations as well as Operation Safe and affective Inter-agency Collaboration, Conduct amongst others.

“The workshop also seeks to educate troops on the sanctity of both local and international humanitarian laws, social media policies, imperatives of the protection of civilians during all operations as well as promoting social responsibilities of soldiers.

“These objectives if achieved at the end of this workshop will go a long way in guiding our conduct as we operate in a joint environment as provided in the vision of the COAS, so that we don’t bring the NA to disrepute.

While urging participants “to listen and ask questions to clear doubts so that you leave here much better than you came”, Gen Alabi daid, “Of course I expect you to take away all the valuable lessons you will learn here back to your units and sub-units so that you equally contribute your bit in improving the professional conduct of your colleagues”.

“Before declaring this workshop open, let me once again remind us that elections are fast approaching and the eyes of the international community will be fixed on us, thus we must take this workshop very seriously so that we are well equipped and always ready to discharge our responsibilities professionally.

“We must continue to remain apolitical, professional and ever ready to accomplish assigned missions by operating within a joint environment in defence of Nigeria as demanded by the COAS”.

In his welcome address, Major Gen Kabiru Garba Commander, Army Headquarters Garrison noted that the sensitization workshop was organized to enlighten personnel on some rudiments of regimentation with a view to enhancing professionalism.

He said the theme which is “Upholding the Professional Ethics of the NA and Promoting Professionalism and Social Responsibility of the Nigerian Soldier” signals a clear indication of the premium the COAS places on training in the Nigerian Army.

He said, “The emphasis on training is in line with the COAS’ vision of having “A Professional Nigerian Army Ready to Accomplish Assigned Missions in a Joint Environment in Defence of Nigeria”. To this end, participating officers and soldiers are drawn from across all the AHQ departments and formations within Abuja.

“The current security challenges coupled with the complex operating environment in which personnel are operating necessitated the need for this workshop which is aimed at developing and improving on the core competencies of personnel. It is also aimed at enlightening personnel on the need to be conscious of the socio-economic vices within their operating environment.

“These vices include terrorism, kidnapping, drug abuse etc that could hinder their ability to remain focused on their professional responsibilities. The Gar is thus partnering with the Alumni Association of National Defense College (AANDC) and Esteem Hub Foundation (EHF) to collaboratively enlighten personnel on how to avoid as well as checkmate these social vices while on duty.

“Additionally, the workshop is designed to remind Personnel on the precept of discipline during operations as well as to equip participants with skills and mindset needed to better protect and preserve the cherished image of the Nigerian Army in an increasingly complex operating environment.

“Topics to be discussed include Professionalism and effective collaboration among security agencies, Core values of the NA and Ethics in relation to the military profession and Enhancing professionalism in the NA. Others include Sexual Exploitation and Abuse/Gender Mainstreaming as well as the importance of NOK.

“In this regard, let me use this opportunity to thank the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) for not only approving the conduct of this workshop but also providing the needed resources towards ensuring the successful conduct of this workshop.”