War Against Insurgents: Remain Steadfast, Army Commander Tasks Officers In Bauchi

By Samuel Luka, Bauchi

As the fight against bandits, insurgents and other forms of criminality continues, Officers and men of the Nigerian Army have been urged to remain steadfast in the discharge of their constitutional responsibilities.

Brigadier General E. Egbe, Commander 33 Artillery Brigade, Shadawanka barracks Bauchi made the call during the occasion of the 2024 West African Social Activity (WASA) held on Friday at Command’s parade ground on Friday.

Egbe who said WASA serves as a platform for relaxation after a rigorous year of military engagements, noted: “For my soldiers, remained good soldiers and patriots to our fatherland. The fight against bandits, insurgents continues”.

The commander explained that WASA, an annual event, avails the opportunity for officers and men to showcase the beauty of their various cultures.

He added that the 2024 event was organized in line with the Chief of Army Staff’s philosophy of consolidating the transformation of the Nigerian Army towards bequeathing a well-motivated and combat-ready force that can effectively discharge its constitutional responsibility within a joint and multi-Agency environment.

The Commander while stressing that WASA organized for troops to unwind and after that to be combat ready, thanked the Chief of Army Staff for authorizing the necessary funds for the WASA to hold.

He appreciated Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi state for his unwavering supports to the military and the barracks Community, emphasizing that the Governor has so much supported them and the entire security architecture in Bauchi state.

“I also appreciate the good people of Bauchi state who resist all forms of criminality. I also want to thank my officers and my soldiers for all the support leading to all the successes we have recorded”, he said.

In his address, the Special Guest of Honor of the event, Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi state commended the 33 Artillery Brigade Shadawanka for their discipline, dedication to duty during the year.

Represented by his Chief Security Adviser, Retired Assistant Inspector General (AIG), Ahmad Abdulrahman, the Governor expressed satisfaction with the cultural display staged by various troupes during the event.

Bala Mohammed who congratulated the Army for the successful conduct of the 2024 training activities, said that the cultural display shows that the Army personnel have not broken the links with their cultural background.

“I am therefore convinced that the gathering today has been worthwhile in line with the WASA which is to promote cultural harmony, team spirit and tolerance among military personnel”, he said.

The Governor charged the Army to remain focused and highly resilient to all forms of distractions that are capable of tarnishing the integrity and the image of the Nigerian Army as they commence another training year, 2025.

According to the Governor, such distractions are capable of affecting the ability of the personnel to discharge their duties professionally and in line with the global best practices.

“This is particularly important, especially now that the Nigerian the Army is engaged in so many internal operations in support to Civil authorities”, he said.

West African Social Activity (WASA) is a yearly event in the Nigerian Army that celebrates the country’s cultural heritage.The British started WASA in 1946 to honor officers who fought in World War II, thereafter, the tradition was incorporated into the Nigerian Army’s year-round activities after the country gained independence in 1960.