COAS Charges Troops On Protection Of Critical Infrastructure

The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, on Friday charged officers and soldiers of 6 Division, Nigerian Army, Port Harcourt, to remain disciplined, committed and dedicated to their mandate of protecting critical national infrastructure, describing their role as central to Nigeria’s economic stability.

Addressing troops at 6 Division Headquarters during his maiden operational visit to the formation, the COAS said the effectiveness of the Division’s operations in the Niger Delta directly impacts the nation’s economy, given its responsibility for safeguarding key oil and gas assets.

“Your job here is very key to protecting critical national infrastructure, and once you do that job very well, it will impact positively on the economy of the country.

“So you need to take your job very seriously—be disciplined, committed and dedicated to the mandate of this Division.”

While urging the troops to discharge their duties conscientiously, the COAS assured them that their welfare remains a top priority of his leadership.

He pledged that officers and soldiers would receive their entitlements without delay or compromise.

“Be rest assured that I will take care of your welfare issues, which are topmost priority. You will get what you deserve, what you are entitled to, in one piece,” he said.

Lt Gen Shaibu disclosed that he had been fully briefed by the General Officer Commanding (GOC), 6 Division, and brigade commanders under the Division, noting that several challenges raised during the briefings were already being addressed.

According to him, one of the key concerns, accommodation—has received immediate attention, with approvals granted for the construction of additional housing units, renovation of existing quarters and completion of ongoing projects within the barracks.

He added: “Once this is done, it will go a long way in mitigating some of the accommodation challenges that are here.

He added that issues bordering on access to quality education for the children of personnel were also under review, stressing that improved welfare would translate to better operational effectiveness.

“In turn, we expect you to do your job conscientiously,” he told the troops.

Speaking later with journalists, the COAS explained that the visit to Port Harcourt marked his first operational tour of the 6 Division Area of Responsibility since assuming office.

He said such visits were part of his routine engagements aimed at assessing troops’ combat readiness, operational challenges and overall morale.

“Normally, I go round various Divisions to see the officers and men, interact with them and ensure the state of their combat readiness,” he said. “I am here in 6 Division Area of Responsibility for my maiden operational visit to see what they are doing, look at their challenges and where we can come in to address them so that they can go about doing their job seamlessly.”

Shaibu noted that while some of the challenges identified during the briefing were resolved immediately, others would be addressed as soon as he returned to Abuja.

Reiterating the strategic importance of the Division’s operations, the Army Chief urged personnel to remain focused on their core responsibility of protecting critical national infrastructure, particularly oil and gas facilities.

“Their job around here revolves around the protection of critical national infrastructure, which impacts our economy. Once they do their job very well, I think everything will be okay,” he said.

Highlights of the visit included the symbolic planting of trees within the barracks, an exercise the Army Chief said underscored the Nigerian Army’s commitment to environmental sustainability alongside its security responsibilities.