•Lt. Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt. Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, has said that the Nigerian Army will resist all calls for undemocratic intervention in governance by the Armed Forces of Nigeria, saying it is not poised to lose the new prestige it has painstakingly built in the past 25 years.
The COAS stated this in his opening remarks during the opening ceremony of the Chief of Army Staff combined second and third quarters conference 2024, held at Akwa Ibom State Council of Chiefs Hall, Uyo, today, reports Nigerian Tribune.
According to him, such calls came from young Nigerians who never experienced the era of Nigeria’s extensive military rule and the concerted struggle by heroes and heroines of the current democratic dispensation to get the nation on its current path during the August 1–10 End Bad Governance Protest.
“As Chief of Army Staff, my simple response to the call is, “Thanks, but no thanks!” The Nigerian Army will not allow itself to be used to undemocratically sail some interests to power.
“As the Service that received the most image bashing as a fallout of previous military interventions in Nigeria, the Nigerian Army remains secure, and united. The Nigerian Army remains resolute in sustaining the ongoing efforts to ensure maximum revenue accrues to the Federal Government for the benefit of the generality of Nigerians”. The COAS stated.
He noted that since the Nigerian Army’s senior hierarchy last met in April for the First Quarter Conference, the country has witnessed a new set of security challenges.
“Aside from the known threats of terrorism, insurgency, banditry, illegal mining, and farmer/herder crises, the recent protests in the country, which were primarily driven by discontent over economic issues and government policies, resulted in significant unrest and, in some cases, violence.
“This situation reminded us that, as an Armed Force, we must not only focus on physical security and defence of the nation but that food and social security issues can snowball into physical security challenges.
“The protest that was held between 1 and 10 August this year was largely driven by provocative and inciting social media traffic. Although it was professionally managed by the Nigeria Police Force supported by the military and other security agencies. The challenge that it posed is a pointer to the fact that the military must always remain professional.
“It is obvious that some of the protest organisers hold contrary opinions from the government on how the security forces managed the situation. However, I believe it was carefully handled, and I commend our commanders and troops for conducting themselves in the most professional manner as they worked with the Nigeria Police and civil authorities to effectively control the situation,” he continued.
Lagbaja, however, expressed deep sadness over the loss of lives and the destruction of public facilities, as well as looting witnessed in some states.
He mentioned that investigations are instituted into the actions of both the protesters and security forces, even as he consoled with the families and loved ones of those who tragically lost their lives during the protests.
He stressed that as a creation of the Nigerian Constitution, the Nigerian Army recognises citizens’ right to air their grievances but believes such should only occur within the confines of the law.
“Evidently, the situation that led to the protest seems to have settled, but the Nigerian Army understands that the issue of food security will remain on the front burner of our national security policy and discussions for a while.
“As a way of strengthening its soft power approach to resolving Nigeria’s food security challenge, the Nigerian Army will, in the coming days, review its agricultural policy to better position the Nigerian Army Farms and Ranches Limited to significantly boost crop production so that the Army can release grains into the market at highly subsidised rates in support of government efforts.
“Furthermore, the Army Headquarters is reviewing some proposals for partnerships with ministries, departments, and agencies of government and reputable private organisations on how best to collaborate to resolve the food crisis in the country.
“Relatedly, Nigerian Army troops currently provide security cover for farmers in critical farming communities in the North East, North West, and North Central zones. This is with a view to preventing the devastating consequences of a pause or stop in food production in those regions on the entire country’s food supply chain,” Lagbaja maintained.
He commended the peaceful and hospitable ambience of the state, which, he affirmed, informed the choice of the state for the conference.
Lagbaja noted that the conference is usually hosted in Abuja, stressing that when taken outside Abuja, it is always to troubled spots, as a show of force.
The Nigerian Army Chief, however, said the case in Akwa Ibom was different as they were in the state to relax and discuss serious national security concerns.
He expressed the appreciation of the Nigerian Army to the government and people of Akwa Ibom State for the infrastructural and logistic support extended to the 2 Brigade headquarters in the state, as well as the warm reception of his team to the state, assuring the continuous commitment of the Army to exert itself in ensuring the security and safety of citizens.
Speaking as the special guest at the event, Akwa Ibom State governor, Pastor Umo Eno, called for the establishment of an additional Army battalion around the coastal communities of the southern part of the country.
Governor Umo Eno made the call while playing host to the Chief of the Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, who paid a courtesy visit to him in Uyo yesterday.
General Lagbaja is in the state for the combined 2nd and 3rd quarter editions of the 2024 Chief of Army Staff Conference, held from August 26 to August 30, 2024.
Considering the strategic role played by the state as a leading oil producer in the country, the governor reiterated the need for a new battalion, preferably in the Oron federal constituency of the state.
He stated that having previously donated gunboats and patrol vehicles, among other security measures, to aid security operations, the new battalion would reinforce the security architecture of the state.
He, however, acknowledged the reflection of federal character in the hierarchy of the Nigerian Army, lauded their commitment to preserving the nation’s democracy and security, and expressed hope that normalcy will soon be restored in troubled areas of the country.
Commending the synergy between the Army formations in the state and other security agencies, Eno said it is a major boost to the security of the state, assuring the state government’s readiness to lend all necessary support to enable the establishment of the proposed army base.
