Attaining Desired Peace And Stability Requires Deliberate Efforts – General Lagbaja

The Chief of Army Staff Major General Taoreed Lagbaja has pointed out that when people desire peace and stability, they must be deliberate in working towards attaining it.

General Lagbaja made this known when he received the Executive Governor of Kaduna State, Senator Sani Uba at the Army Headquarters, Abuja, the nation’s Capital.

The Army Chief who emphasised that the current peace in Kaduna state could not have been possible without the cooperation of the people also called on critical stakeholders, such as traditional rulers, the clergy, and other institutions to always aid the military with the necessary information so that together, peace can be entrenched in the state and the country as a whole.

He expressed appreciation to the people and government of Kaduna state for their cordial relationship with the Nigerian Army. He equally pointed out that the courtesy visit by Senator Sani Uba is a form of feedback to the Nigerian Army on how Kaduna is fairing, which he said beckons the Army to do more.

The COAS said Kaduna as a state holds a special place in the heart of the military and an average army officer has an attachment to the state as it hosts critical military infrastructures such as the Nigerian Defence Academy, Nigeria School of Infantry Jaji, Headquarters Infantry Corps Jaji, the Defence Industries Cooperation of Nigeria amongst others.

“The armed forces and of Nigeria are doing a lot to entrenched peace and stability in Kaduna state, as operation safe heaven has about 6 local governments in Southern Kaduna as part of its Area of Responsibility, and shortly after I took over command as GOC, Operation Whirl Punch was activated to look at the situation in notorious Abuja Kaduna expressway and frontline local governments of, shikun, Igabi, Birnin Gwari, and Giwa extending to Niger state and it is still ongoing with the support of Defence Headquarters”

“We appeal that you mobilise more critical stakeholders in the society as the security threats in Southern Kaduna are complex considering a mixture of its dimensions, it is only when there is a perfect balance between the people, government and the military that we can bring peace and stability to our communities, please assist us in rallying the critical stakeholders such as traditional Rulers, Opinion moulders the clergy and other stakeholders so that together peace can be entrenched”

“As GOC 1 Division Nigerian Army, I got a lot of support from the people and government of Kaduna state with credible information and within a short time we were able to bring peace and stability to the State, your Excellency I crave your indulgence to also give the same support to the new General Officer Commanding, Major General A. Alabi. Information is key to the successes of the military and with this support, it helps the troops to act timely and decisively, as military men we are also beneficiaries of the peace we bring”, stated General Lagbaja.

Speaking earlier, the Executive Governor of Kaduna State, Senator Uba Sani expressed his appreciation and that of the Kaduna state people for their interventions in parts of Kaduna, such as Giwa Gidabi and others where many lives were lost as a result of clashes and violence.

He equally expressed appreciation to the Nigerian Army and the military in general for solving the problems of bandit attacks which has enabled motorists, transporters and people to enter Abuja freely without hindrance unlike before.

Senator Sani said he is confident of the capabilities of the Chief of Army Staff, Major General Taoreed Lagbaja which is part of what made the President appointed him as Chief of Army Staff.

“We on our part will continue to help the Nigerian Army and indeed the military in any area that they require, as GOC 1 Division we testify of your great work here in our state, and on our part, we shall continue to sensitise our citizens because we are all responsible for our security” stated Senator Sani.

The Kaduna State Governor admits that his government will try to be fair to everyone, and give the citizens a sense of belonging in Kaduna State in recognition of the fact that there cannot be peace in the state without fairness and justice.

He, therefore, pledged to work with all relevant security agencies in the state to sustain the peace that is being enjoyed in the state.

Dominica Nwabufo