CDS Reaffirms Army Resolve On Partnership To Conquer Terrorists

Posted by African Examiner Featured, Latest Headlines, News Wednesday, March 16th, 2016

The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Abayomi Gabriel Olonisakin has reaffirmed the Nigerian Armed Forces commitment to partner with any country in the African sub-region to fight terrorism and militant group to a standstill.

Olonisakin gave the assurance when student officers of Kenyan Defence Staff College led by their Deputy Commandant, Brigadier General SM Wachira visited Defence Headquarters recently as part of their Geo – strategic tour to under study the ongoing Nigerian Military’s offensives against the Boko Haram in the North East of Nigeria.

The CDS, who was represented by the Chief of Training and Operations, Defence Headquarters, (DHQ) Major General BT Ndiomu commended the team over the journey.

In his remark, Gen. Ndiomu observed Africa as a continent was witnessing serious threats from terrorist organizations, thereby, urged all regional security forces to close ranks in the fight against terrorism.

The Military Chief also noted that the Kenyan Government has been battling the notorious Al-Shabab militant group, which has links with Al-Qaeda terrorist network and assured the delegation of Nigeria’s support for their efforts in combating the deadly militant group.

On his own, Brigadier General Wachira explained that the visit was occasioned by the similarities in the security challenges facing Nigeria and Kenya; the need to share and learn from the Nigerian military experience in degrading the Boko Haram terrorists.

The Kenyan delegation were also briefed on the activities of the Multi-National Joint Task Force (MNJTF) and the Nigerian Armed Forces efforts in de-radicalizing the civil populace and unemployed youths in the North who may be willing to join the terrorists out of frustration from harsh economic situation.

In a related development, the Commandant of the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), Major General MT Ibrahim, has collaborated with the Defence Space Agency (DSA), to keep pace with the trendy dynamics of Information Communication Technology, science and engineering.

The development occurred when the Chief of Defence Space Agency (CDSA), Air Vice Marshal (AVM) TV Udoh, visited NDA to assess the possible areas of collaboration and Partnership between the two institutions.

Udoh, who apprised the Commandant of the activities of the Defence Space Agency, recalled that the agency was established in the wake of insurgency and insecurity in the country which presented a need to occupy and control the Space area for national defense and security purposes, and also to address diverse social-economic problems.

He added although, the establishment of the National Space Research Development Agency (NASRDA) in 2001 made provision for a military Space Command, the Agency was only set up in October 2014 due to the gaps encountered in the fight against insurgency in the north – eastern part of the country.

AVM Udoh pointed out that the DSA has been able to carry out research in collaboration with NASRDA in the field of rocketry, which had resulted in DSA launching a rocket with a range of 5 kilometres. He revealed that work was ongoing to increase the range to 20 kilometres.

He expressed optimism that partnering and collaborative research with NDA would provide officers and cadets an avenue to key into the knowledge of cyber and space war and all the advantages it offers.

In his reply, Commandant Ibrahim pointed out that with the mandate of the NDA and in keeping pace with the dynamics of the digital and globe, the partnership with DSA was a timely idea.