By Augustine Ehikioya
Terrorism in the North East of Nigeria has been a great threat to lives and properties in the area and beyond since the administration of former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan.
Many innocent lives were lost due to the activities of the terrorists, Boko Haram, especially in the North Eastern States, as they went after soft and unsuspecting targets.
The insurgents were so daring to the extent of capturing and hoisting their flags in some local governments in the North East.
Many lucky residents managed to escape from their communities and ancestral homes to save their lives and become refugees in Maiduguri, other parts of the country and some neighbouring countries.
Irrespective of the reasons that were thrown up for the insurgency, the ugly situation prevailed in Nigeria till the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari came on board.
As a former military Head of State and a retired Army General, Buhari was able to drastically reduce the activities of the terrorists in the area and other parts of the country.
He brought his experience and training to bear on the menace to the extent that many of the terrorists and families in thousands had no choice but to lay down their arms and surrender to the Armed Forces of Nigeria.
Despite the great achievements under Buhari, there are still need to totally end Boko Haram and Islamic State in West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists potency and madness.
To ensure they are completely eradicated in the area and the areas gained are not lost, the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General, Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja, who was appointed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has started to take some interesting and far-reaching measures.
Recognizing the importance of a motivated personnel, General Lagbaja, in line with his Command Philosophy, has started to boost the welfare of troops.
His Command Philosophy states “To transform the Nigerian Army into a well-trained, equipped, and highly effective force to fulfill our constitutional responsibilities in a joint environment.”
To put action to his philosophy and ensure it is not only existing on paper, he was in Borno and Yobe States from the end of August to the first week of September 2023, talking to troops under Joint Task Force Operation HADIN KAI in the North East Theatre of Operations, and commissioning projects that directly touched troops’ lives as they continue to put their lives on the line to safeguard Nigeria.
He also took the operational tour to the two States to assess the security situation and reinvigorate ongoing counter terrorism, counter insurgency operations being conducted by the troops.
Arriving Maiduguri, the Borno State capital on the night of 31st August, 2023, General Lagbaja was briefed by the Theatre Commander, Major General Golden Chibuisi on the current security situation of the North East, ongoing operational activities to clear terrorists from their enclaves in the Lake Chad region and the Mandara mountains, and the challenges of the Theatre.
Commending the troops for the operational successes achieved so far, he revealed that new trends have been noticed in the activities of the terrorists, who now revert to abduction for ransome, pillaging for logistics and attacking civilians with Improvised Explosive Device (IED).
He assured the troops of providing more combat enablers to support ongoing operations in order to ensure more pronounced stability in the region.
The next day, Friday 1st September, 2023, General Lagbaja, still on troops’ welfare drive, commissioned 30 Flats Family Corporal Below Quarters at the Maimalari military Cantonment, Maiduguri.
Each of the newly constructed block of flats has a living room, two bedrooms, ensuite bathrooms and toilets, and a kitchen.
Commissioning the project, the Army Chief noted that the structure is part of efforts to meet the accommodation demands of troops and their families.
He went ahead to present keys to soldier beneficiaries of the new accommodation.
Assuring combined troops of Joint Task Force North East Operation HADIN KAI, Headquarters 7 Division, 7 Division Garrison and 212 Battalion at the 212 Battalion Parade Ground, Maimalari Military Cantonment, Maiduguri. General Lagbaja said that he will sustain the ongoing transformation of the Nigerian Army, through effective interventions in training, equipment acquisition and infrastructural development across formations and units of the Nigerian Army.
Promising that all welfare issues will be treated with utmost concern, he said “Be rest assured that what is due to you will get to you. The personal and group life insurance will be taken care of. Light, water and other amenities will be provided in your barracks”.
He urged the troops to reciprocate with unhindered adherence to core values of the Nigerian Army and unalloyed loyalty to the constitution and Government of Nigeria.
The Army Chief was briefed at the Headquarters 7 Division by the General Officer Commanding 7 Division Nigerian Army, who also doubles as Commander Sector 1 JTF OPHK Major General Peter Malla.
Creating atmosphere for frank interactive session with the troops, General Lagbaja allowed them to freely asked questions bothering them.
The questions asked included the issue of non rotation, non payment of SM allowance since year 2020, alleged South South and South East troops’ exclusion from welfare flight.
Addressing them before the interactive session, the Army Chief said “I want to thank you for your service, I want to thank you for your contribution to the peace and stability of Borno State. And I understand perfectly that you are operating in a very difficult environment. I know because I have been in this Theatre, not once, not twice.
“So, I understand the challenges that confront you. So my pillar of command, which is sound administration is tailored to give you the very best, and providing essential welfare support to your families, including our departed colleagues. We must respect them because they did a lot,” he added
Reacting to the soldier’s question on rotation, he said “If you have been here since 2016, definitely you will go back, we will bring fresh troops, so Theatre Commander please compile the names of all 16 MAs that have not been rotated, so that we address that issue of rotation quickly.”
On the question on welfare flight, General Lagbaja said “If you have the idea that welfare flight is to address regional concerns, then you are wrong. It is designed to provide support where we have the bulk of Nigerian Army troops residing, and that is Lagos and Abuja general areas.
“So, the design is not to leave out the people from the South South or South East. If you are from the South South and South East and you live in Lagos with your family because the Army deployed you to Lagos, of course, you will benefit from the welfare flight.
“And the welfare flight cannot go to every airport in Nigeria because we are using commercial airplanes. We pay heavily for these flights. But we will expand as resources are available. So bear with us for what we are doing for now.
“Once resources becomes more available, we will prioritize, it is either we give you an increase in life insurance, provide uniforms and boots and other things, or the luxury of welfare flights. But as your Chief of Army Staff, I know what is dear to your heart. It is not just sitting down in an aircraft. You deserve your family live in decent accommodation,” he said.
Answering question on SM allowance, he said “I know your problems and the other two battalions worked under me in 1 Division. So, I spoke with Manga, I spoke with troops of 198, I spoke with troops of 134. We will address it.”
Last Saturday 2nd September, 2023 at the Sector 2 Joint Task Force North East Operation HADIN KAI in Damaturu, Yobe State, General Lagbaja, was briefed by the Commander Sector 2, Major General Lander Saraso, on the security situation in Yobe State and ongoing clearance operations code named “Operation Desert Sanity” to rid the Timbuktu Triangle of insurgents.
He was also briefed on the Nigerian Army Special Forces School by the Commandant, Brigadier General Wara Bello Idris.
The Army Chief extolled the troops for deconstructing insurgents’ notorious haven.
Assuring the troops that the challenges currently experienced in the sector will be given prompt and due attention, he encouraged them to freely communicate their concerns through appropriate channels, guaranteeing that they will always be given audience and accorded appropriate attention.
The COAS also charged the troops to avoid distractions, but rather remain disciplined and focus on their mission.
To encourage injured soldiers receiving treatments, General Lagbaja also paid a visit to the Level ll Field Hospital, Damaturu.
Praying for their speedy recuperation, General Lagbaja reassured them of the Army Headquarters intervention in ensuring that they are given adequate medical attention, including medical evacuation for overseas treatment.
He later proceeded on an inspection and assessment of the level of work done at the new Army Barracks under construction in Damaturu.
Still on Saturday, the Army Chief visited the Heroes Cenotaph in the northern Borno town of Mongunu, which is the Headquarters of Sector 3 Joint Task Force North East Operation HADIN KAI.
Recognizing the sacrifices of deceased soldiers, General Lagbaja laid a wreath in honour of officers and soldiers who paid the supreme price fighting terrorism and insurgency in defence of Nigeria.
Addressing the combined troops of Sector 3 and the Hybrid Force, the Army Chief noted that it is very significant to pay tribute and lay wreath in memory and honour of gallant officers and soldiers, who paid the supreme price to defend and extricate the North East from the strangulating hold of Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists.
He assured them that the transformation currently sweeping through the Nigerian Army in terms of proficient training, adequate equipment and welfare, will leave no Army formation or unit untouched.
The amenities in Army Cantonments and Barracks, he told them, will be revolutionized to bring succour to personnel and their families.
He tasked them to sustain the onslaught against the insurgents and restore sanity in the Lake Chad region and northern Borno.
General Lagbaja also urged the troops to be resolute and not to rest on their oars, as the war against terrorism and insurgency rages.
The Commander Sector 3 JTF NE Operation HADIN KAI, Brigadier General, WM Dangana had earlier briefed the COAS on ongoing Operations Desert/ Lake Sanity ll, and Operation Harbin Zuma to clear the insurgents from the Tumbuns (Islands) and the Lake Chad basin.
The COAS also took time to pay courtesy visit to the Borno State Government and expressed appreciation to the government and people of the State for their support and interventions, which culminated in the level of stability so far attained in the region.
He was also full of praises to the Civilian JTF and the Borno people, urging them not to withhold their support to the troops, as they undauntedly fight the cause of humanity.
As General Lagbaja’s new welfare philosophy is implemented across the country, it is hoped that terrorism, kidnapping, banditry and other crimes will soon be a thing of the past in Nigeria.
