Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Taoreed Lagbaja has given a stern warning that the military would not stop at anything to crush criminal elements creating security challenges for the country.
This is just as he tasked Commanders at all levels “on the need to always be ingenious and courageous because the adversaries we fight are emboldened by weakness; thus, we cannot afford to show a lot of it.”
Speaking at the closing ceremony of the COAS first quarter conference in Abuja, Lagbaja assured Nigerians of the Nigerian Army’ resolve to, “in conjunction with our sister services and other security agencies, ensure the security of lives and properties across the country”.
He said, “I enjoin law-abiding Nigerians to continue to support the Nigerian Army in our efforts to make our territory inviolable, safeguard the lives and properties of loyal citizens, and create the enabling atmosphere for good governance and economic prosperity.
“I must, however, remind you all (Army personnel) of the need to always be ingenious and courageous because the adversaries we fight are emboldened by weakness; thus, we cannot afford to show a lot of it.
According to him, “fear is a major currency with which our adversaries trade, and we must turn the tide against them and out-trade them in their currency”.
While appreciating “all of our personnel holding one form of command, staff, or leadership position in this highly challenging period of our country’s history Gen Lagbaja said the department of Army operations and Nigerian Army Intelligence Corps will henceforth jointly provide an initial brief to all divisions and commanders of specialized formations like the Gds Bde to bring them up to speed on AHQ’s expectation and aid their takeoff.
“The COPP(A) will provide further guidance to this standing committee by formulating appropriate orders and instructions. However, the Military Secretary (A) should note that the formation command appreciation and recognition plaque for senior officers does not qualify recipients for the Field Command Medal of Honour award and should thus not be cited as a basis for demanding such instituted honors and awards.”
Continuing the COAS said, “In line with the Sanction and Reward System pillar of my Command Philosophy, I instituted another first today.
“The Formation Command Appreciation/Recognition Plaque presented to 7 of our senior level commanders who were posted out of command between August 2023 and the first quarter of this year is our way of appreciating them for their modest contributions towards a better Nigeria and encouraging them to do better when next similar opportunity comes their way.
“Everyone must understand that posting is a routine exercise in the military, and several circumstances lead to it, many of which may not be fully understood by all.
“To complement this new initiative, the Chief of Operations will henceforth head a team made up of COLOG (A), CASE, COTI (A), CMI (A), and any other PSO deemed relevant to debrief direct reporting formation commanders not later than 10 days post-handover.
“This standing committee will submit a 3-5 page report highlighting lessons and issues that can help AHQ better guide new formation commanders as well as improve the security, welfare, and morale of troops in the formation they commanded”.