Nigerian Army committed to ending terrorism – COAS
The Chief of Army Staff, COAS, Lt.-Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, on Tuesday reiterated the army’s determination to eliminate terrorism, insurgency and other forms of criminalities in Nigeria.
Mr Lagbaja said this at the Opening Ceremony of the 24th Combat Service Support Training Week at the Headquarters of the Nigerian Army Ordnance Corps, NAOC, in Lagos State.
The ceremony has its theme as: “Sustainable Logistic Support System for the Nigerian Army Towards Achieving Constitutional Responsibilities Within A Joint Environment”.
Mr Lagbaja represented by the Nigerian Army Engineers Corps Commander, Maj.-Gen. Philip Eromosele, said that the elimination of insurgency and criminalities would be achieved in collaboration with other sister services.
He said that logistics remained the pivot on which the four pillars of military operations revolved and was one of the major determinants of the successes of all military operations.
“Our nation is faced with a myriad of security challenges which include terrorism, insurgency, banditry, kidnapping, farmers-herders clashes, separatism among others.
“This has resulted in the deployment of personnel in almost all the states of the federation, thus overstretching our manpower and the demand on the combat service corps for logistics support.
“However, we remain passionately determined to eliminate terrorism and all forms of criminalities in the country,” the COAS said.
The army displayed some sophisticated equipment locally developed to combat insurgency and criminalities in the country.
Mr Lagbaja said that the vital roles which the corps played in providing logistics support for the Nigerian Army and the Armed Forces in peace and war could not be overemphasized.
He added that it behooves the combat service support corps to think out of the box to find ways in providing effective and efficient logistics support to the Nigerian Army.
“The combat service support corps has performed well and recorded tremendous achievements, but I expect more from the corps in spite of the limited resources.
“Success in our operations remains the availability of resources to defend and sustain operations, especially in difficult and inaccessible terrains of our country.
“Therefore, our plans must be based on sound logistic planning that incorporates guaranteed supplies, availability of parts, maintenance, preparedness and adequate arrangements for casualty evacuation and medical evacuation,” the COAS said.
Mr Lagbaja said the Nigerian Army was an institution that payed attention to capacity development of it’s personnel through training.
He said that this resolve was captured in his philosophy to “transform the Nigerian Army into a well-trained, equipped and highly motivated force towards achieving our constitutional responsibilities within a joint environment.”
“This philosophy is premise on three things: training, core operations and sound administration.
“The Nigerian Army, under my leadership, will continue to encourage the combat service support corps in the area of training, procurement of requisite equipment, adequate maintenance and the welfare of personnel,” Mr Lagbaja said.
The COAS said that some of his colleagues had paid the supreme price during their call to national duty to eliminate criminalities in the country.
“Their sacrifices will not be in vain and I pray for the repose of their souls while our hearts will always be with their families.
“We will not rest on our oars until the enemies of our country are defeated and lasting peace restored.
“I will continue to do everything possible to build a formidable Nigerian Army supported by a well-trained, equipped and highly motivated combat support corps,” he said.
Mr Lagbaja expressed gratitude and appreciation to the President of Nigeria, Mr Bola Tinubu, for his support and encouragement to the Nigerian Army.
“We acknowledge his untiring effort at providing the required detailed support to the Nigerian Army to carry out its role as enshrined in the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” the COAS said.
The Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, said that the Nigerian Army with other security agencies had achieved tremendous successes in confronting the security challenges to keep Nigeria safe and secure.
The governor was represented by the state’s Deputy Chief of Staff, Gboyega Soyannwo.
“Some have even paid the supreme price that we may have our peace. Your sacrifices are highly appreciated and we pray for the repose of the departed.
“I urge you all to keep on the good fight till total peace and security is restored in this country,” he said.
Mr Sanwo-Olu said that Nigeria was currently confronted with a myriad of security challenges in virtually all the geopolitical zones of the country.
He said that it was therefore important for the Nigerian Army to evolve appropriate responses to the different security challenges we face.
“The army must continue to train aggressively in order to proficiently execute their own line of operations towards achieving the ultimate goal of a secure and peaceful Nigeria.
“I have no doubt, in my mind, that this training week will provide the Nigerian Army, particularly the logisticians, a veritable platform for human capacity development,” he said.
The Nigerian Army carried out a healthcare service to members of Mushin LGA which was held at New State High School, Palm Avenue, Mushin.
Also, the Nigerian Army Ordnance Tailoring Factory was commissioned by the representative of the COAS.
