By 
By Abiodun OBA
Field commanders and troops of the Nigerian Army have been charged to remain committed and bring the nation’s adversaries to their knees, restore peace and stability in areas experiencing security challenges across the country.
The Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, on Tuesday, gave the charge while speaking at the opening ceremony of the First Quarter Chief of Army Staff Conference.
General Lagbaja declared that the troops and commanders must remain committed to their constitutional mandates.
“It is imperative to reiterate that our primary focus remains the preservation of our nation’s territorial integrity, safeguarding the lives and properties of loyal citizens, and upholding the principles of justice and equity.
“I charge field commanders across various theatres of operations, including our gallant troops, to remain committed to bringing the nation’s adversaries to their knees and restoring sanity in troubled areas across the country.”
The Army Chief directed the troops and commanders to enhance their intelligence gathering and respect human rights while going about their duties.
According to him, “We must continue to strengthen our operational capabilities, enhance intelligence gathering, foster inter-agency cooperation and prioritise the welfare of our personnel. Our commitment to professionalism, discipline, and respect for human rights must remain firm and obvious to all.”
General Lagbaja who pointed out that the nation was in a more volatile, and complex period than before, tasked the commanders to be innovative.
“As leaders of our Army, we must create that awareness across the force that the season we are in is more volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous than before. We must, therefore, continue to be adaptive, ingenious, innovative, and ready to take up more non-traditional military responsibilities if we must help our dear country survive the time we are in.”
General Lagbaja pointed out that the troops apart from securing the country, had been contributing to global peace as well.
He said, “Only recently, on the approval of Mr President and Commander-in-Chief, the second company of the Nigerian contingent in the United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei was inducted on 5 April 2024.
“This effort is geared towards upholding our commitment to maintaining global peace and security, particularly within the African Continent. Similarly, the Nigerian Army has extended its support to peacekeeping missions in The Gambia and Guinea-Bissau by deploying troops and allocating resources. This deployment underscores our steadfast commitment to providing capable peacekeepers as part of our contributions to global peace and security.”
The Army Chief also said he has directed the Managing Director of Post-Service Housing Development Limited to set aside five percent of the Affordable Home Ownership Option for All Soldiers Scheme in each estate for allocation to these wounded/disabled soldiers.
While noting that the programme aimed at alleviating the hardship soldiers face in securing personal accommodation for post-service life General Lagbaja said the Nigerian Army would cover all the housing expenses at 100 percent for the soldiers.
“As a way of making the scheme inclusive and showing our sensitivity to the plight of soldiers with operational-related disabilities, I have directed the Managing Director of Post-Service Housing Development Limited to set aside five percent of the AHOOAS Scheme in each estate for allocation to this category of soldiers. Additionally, the Nigerian Army will cover all the housing expenses at 100 percent for the soldiers.”
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