Innovate tactics to outsmart bandits, COAS charges troops

At least 10 hunters lost their lives while on a rescue mission to Kopire Village, Hong Local Council of Adamawa State. This was as about 30 persons, including women and children, were killed by Boko Haram in Chibok and Kala Balge on Monday in Borno State.

Consequently, the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt-Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, called on officers and men of the Nigerian Army to develop and apply innovative strategies to counter emerging security threats posed by terrorists and armed bandits across the country.

Chairman of the Hunters Association of Nigeria, North-East, Shawulu Yohanna, confirming the killing of his colleagues to newsmen, yesterday, said the deceased paid the supreme price during a fierce battle with Boko Haram terrorists in the bush.

He said: “I can confirm to you that 10 of my people lost their lives during a gun duel with the terrorists while responding to distress calls of attacks on some communities.

“We were informed that the attackers were regrouping to launch another deadly attack, so we mobilided 40 of our hunters from Hawul and Biu local councils in Borno, and Garkida town of Adamawa to confront the terrorists.

“Unfortunately, during the encounter which lasted for some hours, my men ran out of ammunition, and the terrorists succeeded in killing 10 of them, but we recovered their bodies.”

SEVEN mourners were reportedly shot dead in Chibok while holding a third-day prayer for a community leader in the evening, same day commuters died after stepping on an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) planted by terrorists.

Others sustained gunshot injuries from the attackers, believed to be Boko Haram terrorists. The mourners were gathered for the final prayers of their community leader around 6pm when the terrorists opened fire on them, instantly killing seven men.

However, an update indicated that more bodies were recovered, bringing the bodies to 14 in Chibok. Many houses were reportedly set ablaze by the terrorists.

GENERAL Oluyede made the charge during the 2025 edition of the Combat Arms Training (CAT) Week, jointly organised by the Nigerian Army Infantry Corps and the Armoured Corps, in Bauchi.

In a statement, yesterday, the army chief emphasised the need for strategic thinking, resourcefulness and mission-driven leadership in all operational environments.

“Success in today’s complex and ever-changing battlespace depends on our ability to think outside the box, optimise available resources, and demonstrate resilience and unity of purpose,” Oluyede said.

He noted that the CAT Week, with the theme, Strengthening Combat Arms Cooperation in a Joint Environment: A Prerequisite for Success in Counter Terrorism and Counter Insurgency Operations’ was timely, considering the dynamics of modern warfare.

Oluyede also urged officers and men to go beyond routine exercises by offering actionable ideas that could boost field effectiveness and cohesion across joint task forces.

Earlier, the Commander of the Nigerian Army Armoured Corps, Maj-Gen Obinna Ajunwa, described the training week as an opportunity to reassess the army’s ongoing operations and refine strategies.He said the forum also serves to review policies and operational procedures to overcome evolving security threats.