PHOTOS: COAS visits injured soldiers in Kaduna

The Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, on Friday, conducted a visit to troops wounded in action currently receiving treatment at the 44 Nigerian Army Reference Hospital in Kaduna.

This was disclosed in a statement released by the Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Lieutenant Colonel Appolonia Anele, on Friday.

Anele noted that the visit was part of the COAS maiden operational tour of the Joint Task Force North West, Operation FANSAN YAMMA Area of Responsibility.

The statement partly read, “During the visit, the COAS commended the wounded personnel for their courage and sacrifice in the line of duty. He assured them of the Nigerian Army’s unwavering commitment to providing adequate medical care and support for their full recovery.

“Drawing from personal experience, the COAS noted that he had once been admitted to the same facility after being wounded in action, stressing that he fully understood the challenges faced by injured soldiers.

“He expressed confidence in the hospital’s standards and management, assuring the troops that they would receive optimal medical attention.”

Shaibu reportedly urged them to adhere strictly to their treatment regimens as prescribed by medical personnel and reiterated his commitment to improving the welfare of personnel and their families in line with his renewed leadership drive.

The COAS, who was accompanied by principal staff officers from Army Headquarters, was said to have also conducted a tour of the hospital facilities to assess ongoing developments and improvements within the institution, after which he visited Headquarters Sub-Sector 4, Operation FANSAN YAMMA, along the Kaduna–Abuja Highway, where he interacted with troops and assessed their operational readiness and morale.

PUNCH reported in October that the Senate confirmed Shaibu as the new Chief of Army Staff, directing him to “take a bow” and assume office immediately.

Shaibu’s confirmation came barely an hour after the upper chamber cleared General Olufemi Oluyede as Chief of Defence Staff.