Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Taoreed Lagbaja yesterday restated Army’s readiness to the protection of Nigeria and vowed that “all adversaries,” especially insurgents, would be routed.
“The Nigerian Army shall remain loyal to do all within its power to defeat all adversaries across the length and breadth of Nigeria,” Lagbaja said.
He spoke during the 2023 Nigerian Army Day Celebration (NADCEL) lecture and Book presentation in Ibadan, Oyo State.
The lecture was titled: “Optimising Nigerian Army Administration for Successfully Countering Insurgency Operations: Strategic Options.”
He commended President Bola Tinubu for entrusting the stewardship of the Nigerian Army to him at this crucial time.
Guest lecturer, Maj.-Gen. Adeniyi Oyebade,, advised the Army to look critically into the issue of troop rotation and regular payment of allowances of those in the war front.
He also urged the Army to provide medical attention to wounded troops for optimal performance in insurgency operations.
Also in Abuja, Chief of Air Staff (CAS), Hasan Abubakar said revealed a plan by the Force to overhaul its entire operations across the country.
Abubakar, however, charged troops to redouble their efforts in the fight against terrorists and other criminals.
He praised NAF personnel, especially those at operational theatres, for their commitment and dedication to ongoing counterterrorism operations.
The CAS, in a statement by NAF’s spokesperson Edward Gabkwet said the planned overhaul was to “maximise the potential of joint efforts as being exhibited by members of the Armed Forces and other security agencies.”
He, however, noted that it was imperative for attitudinal change by all NAF personnel if the gains of the overhaul were to be maximised.
“Without the right attitude by the officers and men of the NAF, any form of overhaul undertaken by the Service will be a waste of time and resources,” Abubakar said.
Meanwhile, the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 1 Division Kaduna, Maj.-Gen. Bamidele Alabi has assured that the Army would continue to support its host communities to address some of their challenges.
Maj.- Gen. Alabi gave the assurance in a message to a medical outreach programme at LEA Primary School, Kawo in Kaduna.
The outreach was part of activities to commemorate the 2023 Nigerian Army Day Celebration (NADCEL).
“As you settle down for this important event, I urge you to utilise this golden opportunity and be honest while interacting with our well-trained medical personnel in order to get the best out of what they can offer.
“To this end, I implore you to feel free to explain your problems and clear your doubts where necessary,” he told members of the community.
*Security chiefs meet to tackle cross-border crimes in FCT, neighbouring states
The Technical Committee of G-7 made up of Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and its six neighbouring states, met in Abuja yesterday to develop strategies to tackle cross-border security challenges.
The committee comprises security chiefs of the FCT, Benue, Kaduna, Kogi, Nasarawa, Niger and Plateau states.
Permanent Security, FCT Administration, Mr Olusade Adesola, said at the opening of the meeting that the G-7 provides an opportunity for intelligence gathering, sharing and joint-border operations.
Adesola, who was represented by Mr Ishaq Sadeeq, acting secretary, Agric and Rural Development Secretariat, FCTA, charged members of the committee to come up with adaptable strategies for combating cross-border crimes in the FCT and the neighbouring states.