The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja, has expressed his profound appreciation to the Nigerian Army (NA) troops for their sacrificial service and bravery in defence of Nigeria’s territorial integrity and sovereignty.
The Army Chief applauded the troops for their commitment and resilience in the ongoing fight against terrorism and other emerging security challenges in the country.
According to a statement by the Director of Army Public Relations, Major General Onyema Nwachukwu, General Lagbaja gave the appropriation while addressing the 23rd Brigade, Nigerian Army, at the Gibson Jalo Cantonment, Yola Adamawa State, during an operational visit.
General Lagbaja noted that his desire to gain first-hand insight into the welfare of the troops and assess their operational readiness propelled him and his team to visit the Brigade on a public holiday on Wednesday, 1st March 2024.
He informed the troops that the Nigerian Army is on a transformational drive, and the Federal Government has been supportive of that drive with the provision of essential combat enablers and support for personnel’s welfare schemes.
These, according to the Army Chief, are already positively impacting troops’ operational effectiveness and morale.
The COAS particularly stated that the Federal Government has approved funds to clear the backlog of Group Life Assurance claims that had accumulated since 2012, aside from the ongoing drive to ensure conducive working and living conditions for both personnel and their families.
General Lagbaja assured the troops that the identified challenges observed in his tour of the Brigade would get prompt attention.
While in Adamawa, the Army Chief also paid a courtesy visit to the Governor of the state, Honourable Ahmadu Umar Fintiri, at the State House, where he expressed appreciation to the government and good people of the state for standing with the troops for peace and tranquillity to reign in the state. He enjoined them to continue to rally support for the troops to enhance their operations.
Responding, the State Governor acknowledged that crime has drastically reduced in the state while observing that, under the present circumstances, the troops are doing very well and interagency cooperation has been commendable.
He affirmed that his administration will continue to support the Nigerian Army and other security agencies, as they conduct their activities in the state.
