The President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.) has urged the Nigerian Army to be proactive and develop new strategies to win the hearts of the citizens.

The President, represented by the Minister of Defence, Major General Bashir Magashi (retd), made this call to the Army during the grand finale of the Nigerian Army Day Celebration.

This was made known on Tuesday in a statement by the Army Director of Public Relations, Onyema Nwachukwu, titled, ‘#NADCEL2021: President Muhammadu Buhari charges the army to remain resolute in tackling security challenges.’

The statement partly read, “The President, who was represented by the Honourable Minister of Defence, Major General Bashir Magashi (retd), said the NA has remained a highly professional Army subordinated to democratic and  civil authority, since the rebirth of democracy in 1999. 

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“He further stated that the increasing synergy among the Services in the military and other security agencies in the fight against criminality is yielding significant results.

“Appreciating the NA for its resilience in confronting contemporary security challenges, the President reiterated his resolve to ensure that the NA gets the much needed support to enhance its operational efficiency. 

“President Buhari directed officers and soldiers of the NA to be proactive and  evolve new strategies of winning the hearts and minds of the citizenry. He further urged the NA to adhere to the rules of engagement in its operational  engagements and respect the fundamental human rights of the populace.”