Army Chief Discloses Readiness to Synergise with Other Security Agencies 

The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Major-General Taoreed Lagbaja, has declared his readiness to synergise with other security arms and agencies of the country for an effective and efficient troop so as to provide a safer and secure Nigeria.

Lagbaja spoke while fielding questions from journalists shortly after paying a courtesy call on Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State at the Governor’s Office, Agodi-Secretariat, Ibadan, on Tuesday.

On plans and proposed operational strategies to combat the various forms of security challenges facing the country, the new Army Chief said the focus of his administration would be on leadership, operational effectiveness and sound administration of the troops.

Lagbaja vowed to do all within his power to motivate the troops, not only to operate within the rules of engagement and codes of conduct but also to be responsive to the weight of expectations and the yearnings of the ordinary Nigerians, such that at the end of the day, the people’s Army that is preached by the Command is what Nigerian citizens would find on the streets.

He thanked President Tinubu for the confidence reposed in him and for appointing him as the 23rd Chief of Army Staff, expressing readiness to transform the Nigerian Army into a well-trained equipped and operationally efficient army towards achieving constitutional responsibility in a joint environment.

The COAS said: “My drive is to operate in synergy with other security agencies, and sister services towards ensuring peace, and stability to allow law-abiding citizens to go about their business, all across Nigeria. To do this, I intend to focus on leadership, operational effectiveness and sound administration of the troops.”

Asked if there was any specific directive from the President on the security chiefs during the inaugural meeting on Monday, the COAS stated: “The meeting was short and it was meant to just introduce ourselves having just assumed command about a week ago. 

“And during the occasion, the President still espoused the need for us to still operate in synergy amongst ourselves and with other security agencies and we are going to work along that trajectory,” the Army Chief concluded.

In his address during the courtesy call, Governor Seyi Makinde affirmed that the level of professionalism displayed by the officers on duty during the 2019 governorship election could not be overemphasised, adding that but for the Army’s unbiased stance, he would also not have won re-election in 2023.

The governor, while congratulating the Chief of Army Staff on his elevation as well as the troops on the occasion of the Army’s 160th anniversary slated for Ibadan, noted that Oyo State had continued to remain a stable state in terms of security due to the commitment and cooperation of the Army with the people of the state.

Makinde noted: “I will also reiterate our own commitment here to keep the relationship cordial and to ensure that we do everything within our powers to ensure that while the officers and men are busy all around the state and elsewhere in Nigeria, we also play our own part to ensure that they have stability on the home front and also contribute to the activities of the Nigerian Army around this area.”

He reassured the Chief of Army Staff of the state’s commitment to ensuring a cordial relationship that would promote peace and tranquility between the government and the Nigerian Army

Dominica Nwabufo