By Augustine Ehikioya
Towards greater protection for Nigerians from unconventional threats confronting the nation, the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja has fervently charged the Nigerian Army (NA) Field Commanders at all levels to make good use of the outcomes of vibrant and robust interactions held during the COAS Annual Conference in Maiduguri, and follow updates on NA intelligence and review of operations across the country to scale up efforts in tackling security challenges.
He gave the charge during the closing ceremony of the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Annual Conference 2023 at the Command Guest House, Maiduguri, Borno State.
General Lagbaja, according to a statement by the Director Army Public Relations, Brigadier General, Onyema Nwachukwu, and made available to Security Watch Africa (SWA), has ordered an “immediate shoring up of measures aimed at enhancing military operations and ensuring the safety and protection of citizens from unconventional threats.”
The Army Chief also urged Commanders to “devise comprehensive plans to deal decisively with adversaries within their Areas of Responsibilities and exercise restraint when dealing with law-abiding citizens whom the NA is constitutionally charged to protect.”
General Lagbaja stated that in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s directive, all Commanders should do all within their ambit to enhance operations in a manner that justifies the resources committed to the nation’s security.
The COAS maintained that the Conference provides participants with veritable platforms to review NA’s past achievements, assess current challenges, and strategize for the future in the broader context of national security.
He stressed that the conference has afforded the NA quality time to review its training, operations, and administrative activities that directly relate to the theme of the conference which is ”Personnel Motivation for Effective Operational Performance in a Joint Environment.”
Deliberations at the Conference, he noted, have addressed various issues relating to troops’ morale, physical and conceptual components of NA fighting power.
“And lecture during the conference has further re-enforced the importance of whole-of-society approach in the successful conduct of NA operations to mitigate security challenges,” the statement stated.
Stressing that the task ahead of the military is enormous, General Lagbaja said “efforts must be made to improve communication channels with other security agencies, where there are ongoing internal security operations to create a secure environment for good governance and economic prosperity for Nigerians.”
In conformity with one of the cardinal pillars of the COAS Command Philosophy, which is “sound administration”, General Lagbaja presented cheques to officers and soldiers wounded in combat through the Group Personnel Accident Insurance Scheme.
The scheme caters for the medical bills of personnel wounded in combat.
The COAS, on behalf of officers and soldiers of the NA expressed gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his staunch support to the NA and assured of the unflinching loyalty and commitment of the NA to the defence of democracy and upholding the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
