By Augustine Ehikioya
To boost the morale of troops after insurgents’ ambush in Zungeru, Niger State, the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Nigerian Army, Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja has visited the State and motivated the troops.
The ambush has claimed the lives of some soldiers and injured others.
The Army Chief, in a statement by the Director Army Public Relations,
Brigadier General, Onyema Nwachukwu, and made available to Security Watch Africa (SWA), also tasked the troops to leave no stone unturned to bring sanity back to the area.
It said “Following troops’ encounter with insurgents in Zungeru general area of Niger State, in which gallant troops of the Nigerian Army paid the supreme price in defence of our dear country, the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Nigerian Army, Lt Gen Taoreed Lagbaja arrived Minna, Niger State capital, late night Tuesday 15 August, 2023 and today, immediately moved to Forward Operating Base Erena in Shiroro LGA of Niger State, where he was briefed on the current security situation by the General Officer Commanding 1 Division, Major General Bamidele Alabi.
“Addressing the troops soon after the brief, the COAS urged them to rally together and be more resolute in bringing the nation’s adversaries to their knees and restore sanity in troubled areas.
“He maintained that the fight against insurgents and bandits is a just cause, in defence of Nigerians and the nation.
According to the Army Chief, “Protecting lives and defending your nation are the noblest service anyone can offer. You are therefore in the noble profession of arms and must not allow your morale to dwindle.
“We must defeat the adversaries of our people and take back every inch of space where they are hibernating in our land”, he added.
Gen Lagbaja, according to the statement, assured the troops that he will do all within available resources to give Nigerian Army personnel and their families the best in terms of welfare.
“He disclosed, that this is topmost in the pillars of his Command Philosophy. He directed the immediate reinforcement of the troops with additional combat enablers to enhance their operational effectiveness,” the statement said.
