By Linus Aleke, Abuja
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja has tasked field commanders at all levels to scale up their efforts in tackling security challenges, across the federation.
He also urged the commanders to make good use of the outcomes of vibrant and robust interactions, during the COAS Annual Conference in Maiduguri, following updates on NA intelligence and review of operations across the country.
Director Army Public Relations, Brigadier General Onyema Nwachukwu, in a statement said that General Lagbaja, gave the charge during the closing of the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Annual Conference 2023 at the Command Guest House, Maiduguri, Borno State.
The COAS also told the commanders to improve upon the protection of Nigerians from unconventional threats confronting the nation.
He ordered an immediate shoring up of measures aimed at enhancing military operations and ensuring the safety and protection of citizens from unconventional threats.
This is as he re-enforced the importance of a whole-of-society approach to the fight against terrorism.
The Army Chief also urged commanders to devise comprehensive plans to deal decisively with adversaries within their Areas of Responsibilities and exercise restraint when dealing with law-abiding citizens whom the NA is constitutionally charged to protect.
General Lagbaja noted that in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s directive, all commanders should do all within their ambit to enhance operations in a manner that justifies the resources committed to the nation’s security.
The COAS averred that the conference provides participants with veritable platforms to review NA’s past achievements, assess current challenges, and strategize for the future in the broader context of national security.
He further noted that the conference afforded the NA 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.”
General Lagbaga added that deliberations at the conference have addressed various issues relating to troops’ morale, and physical and conceptual components of NA fighting power and the lecture during the conference has further re-enforced the importance of a whole-of-society approach in the successful conduct of NA operations to mitigate security challenges.
He further noted that 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.
General Lagbaja, also presented cheques to officers and soldiers wounded in combat through the Group Personnel Accident Insurance Scheme.
The scheme, he said, caters for the medical bills of personnel wounded in combat.
