The Nigerian Army has reiterated its resolve to reposition the Nigerian Army Corps of Artillery (NACA) to enable it perform its primary and secondary roles of combating emerging security challenges.
Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Azubuike Ihejirika, made this known at the weekend at the Kachia military shooting range, near Minna, Niger state.
He therefore, called for apt repairs and maintenance of military equipment so as to boost and transform the Nigerian Army into a force that would meet the contemporary challenges of defending the country.
Represented by the Director of Policy and Planning, Major General Emmanuel Bassey, the COAS said, “It is apt for 31 Artillery Brigade to have undertaken the repairs of the air defence guns in its inventory in order to boost one division air capability”.
He however, commended the Headquarters of the Nigeria Army Corps of Artillery (NACA), Kotangora for providing technical support to the Brigade for the repairs, saying “I am satisfied with the workings of the equipments and the training of Officers and Men of the Nigerian Army.”
Speaking the Commander, 31 Artillery Brigade Minna, Niger State, Brigadier General Chris Ilouga, said the repaired guns can now fire consistently without missing targets.
“The essence is to reposition NACA for the performance of its primary and secondary roles in combating emerging security challenges.
“The changing nature of contemporary threats facing the Nigerian Army and the degradation of NACA’s capacity over time and due to guns and equipment attrition made it necessary for NACA to rebuild its capacity for mission accomplishment.
“The team worked independently due to their technical knowhow, and they were closely supervised by the Commanding Officer.
“The desire of the Nigerian Army to respond to contemporary security challenges was what motivated the Headquarters of the 31 Artillery Brigade into raising her air defence capability through the repair of its unserviceable 35mm AD Guns,” he said.
