Army Chief Advocates Training, Repositioning Of Nigeria’s Armed Forces
By Martha Obi, Abuja
The Nigerian Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja, COAS, has stressed the need for training and repositioning of the Armed Forces of Nigeria for better performance in ensuring National Security and National interest.
The Army Chief made this known in Abuja during the Maiden Edition of Chief of Army Staff Annual Lecture Series 2024 with the topic “Role of the Military in the Protection of Nigeria’s
General Lagbaja said that “professional soldiers shall adapt to the evolving nature of the battleground by establishing Innovative procedures, strategies and tactics for effective engagement in their operations.”
He said that “military must be prepared not just for internal security but also to get to that for engagement on the international scene as they ought to do.”
The Army Chief said that Nigerians should trust and support the military as he requested for more understanding while they conduct their activities in ensuring the attainment of national interest and security for the development of the country.
According to him, “the right step in the right direction, however given the number of positive issues covered in the act from the involvement of the private sector and taxing of all defense contracts to raise for the implementation must be given into consideration.”
He noted that the profound foundation for both the military industrial complex and National Industry for the country and reducing the over dependence on Foreign imports for all Defence and security requirements, Implementation will also assist in creating jobs.
The Army Chief said that “the internal security challenges in the country, this service, the nature and dimension has become apparent that the internal security of the country makes a quick review.”
He noted that there is a need for a greater level of coordination to enhance seamless communication, cooperation, and collaboration amongst security organizations involved in International Security operations has become a necessity.
The Director General, Nigerian Army Resource Centre, Major General Garba Wahab, Retired said that “the role of military and other security agencies was addressed in the lecture for National interest” as he appreciated the Army Chief.
The Former Inspector General of Police, Solomon Arase said “community policing is good but the issue of cybercrime cannot be single handed by the police amongst other things mentioned.”
The Director General Voice of Nigeria, Jubril Baba- Ndace said that “the importance Of National interest and using it in National Security should use different stakeholders including the media especially government owned media.”
The Nigerian Minister of Defence, Mr. Abubakar Badaru promised that he would deliver the message to the President as he was impressed by the lecture.
