The Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, reassured the public that the Nigerian Army Headquarters is committed to swiftly addressing the nation’s security challenges. These challenges include banditry, terrorism, kidnapping, and farmer-herder clashes, which have led to numerous deaths, abductions, and the displacement of millions.
Speaking at a stakeholders’ roundtable in Abuja on Monday, Lagbaja emphasized that the Army would continue its operations without hesitation to ensure national security. He pledged, “The Army Headquarters is dedicated to resolving all security issues promptly and in a manner beneficial to the country and its people. The Nigerian Army, in conjunction with other security services, will tirelessly work to ensure the safety required for national development.”
Lagbaja also urged the public to support and trust the Army and other security agencies in their efforts to restore peace. He stated, “I appeal to Nigerians to support the Nigerian Army and other security agencies in their quest for lasting peace, which is vital for sustainable development.
Security is a collective responsibility, and stakeholders must understand each other, build trust, confidence, and relationships. These issues should be part of the roundtable discussions.”
Prof. Okey Ikechukwu, Executive Director of Development Specs Academy, lamented that the efforts of citizen soldiers have been misunderstood, leading to a lack of cooperation from some communities. He explained, “Soldiers have been working hard, but their efforts are often misinterpreted, resulting in hostile attention and reduced intelligence sharing from communities.
This non-cooperation hinders those trying to secure lives. In the past, minimal insecurity was not due to miraculous actions by security agencies but because people knew their duty to provide information. This is no longer happening, contributing to the crisis.”
