The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja, has charged field commanders to scale up efforts in tackling insecurity by devising comprehensive plans to deal decisively with adversaries within their areas of responsibilities. He also urged them to exercise restraint when dealing with law-abiding citizens whom the Nigerian Army is constitutionally charged to protect.
General Lagbaja gave the charge during the closing ceremony of the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Annual Conference 2023 at the Command Guest House, Maiduguri, Borno State.
In a statement by the Director, Army Public Relations, Brigadier General Onyema Nwachukwu, the Army Chief further charged the Nigerian Army field commanders at all levels to make good use of the outcomes of vibrant and robust interactions held during the COAS Annual Conference in Maiduguri, following updates on Nigerian Army intelligence and review of operations across the country.
This would help to scale up efforts in tackling security challenges and improve upon the protection of Nigerians from unconventional threats confronting the nation.
COAS CHARGES FIELD COMMANDERS TO SCALE UP EFFORTS IN TACKLING INSECURITY, PROTECT CIVILIANS FROM UNCONVENTIONAL THREATS…As Annual Conference ends in Maiduguri
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja in a fervent call, has charged Nigerian Army (NA)… pic.twitter.com/NfRx0ugtr3
— Nigerian Army (@HQNigerianArmy) December 15, 2023
Lieutenant General Lagbaja also ordered that measures be shored up immediately to enhance military operations and ensure the safety and protection of citizens from unconventional threats.
He also charged all commanders to do all within their ambit to enhance operations in a manner that justifies the resources committed to the nation’s security, in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s directive.
Objectives of the Conference
According to the Chief of Army Staff, the conference provided participants with veritable platforms to review the Nigerian Army’s past achievements, assess current challenges, and strategize for the future in the broader context of national security.
The conference has also afforded the Nigerian Army quality time to review its training, operations, and administrative activities that directly relate to the theme of the conference, which is “Personnel Motivation for Effective Operational Performance in a Joint Environment”.
The deliberations at the conference addressed various issues relating to troops’ morale, physical and conceptual components of the Nigerian Army’s fighting power.
The lecture during the conference further reinforced the importance of whole-of-society approach in the successful conduct of Nigerian Army operations to mitigate security challenges.
“The task ahead of the military is enormous. Consequently, efforts must be made to improve communication channels with other security agencies, where there are ongoing internal security operations to create a secure environment for good governance and economic prosperity for Nigerians,” Lieutenant General Lagbaja noted.
In conformity with one of the cardinal pillars of the Chief of Army Staff Command’s philosophy, “sound administration”, General Lagbaja presented cheques to officers and soldiers wounded in combat through the Group Personnel Accident Insurance Scheme. The scheme caters for the medical bills of personnel wounded in combat.
The Chief of Army Staff, on behalf of officers and soldiers of the Nigerian Army, expressed gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his staunch support to the Nigerian Army.
He assured Nigerians of the unflinching loyalty and commitment of the Nigerian Army to defend democracy and uphold the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
