According to the report from the Vanguard, Lt. Gen. Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja, Chief of Army Staff, has reaffirmed the Nigerian Army's commitment to maintaining peace and security across the nation despite various threats. He emphasized the Army's adaptability and resilience in facing diverse challenges.
Speaking at an Inter-denominational Church Service marking the Nigerian Army Day Celebration 2024, Gen. Lagbaja highlighted the importance of praying for peace: "Our most important prayer should always be for peace to reign in our country, for we are the ones who will suffer and bear the deepest wounds and scars of war if we fail to pray for the peace of our land."
Gen. Lagbaja noted that the Army has been proactive in addressing security threats: "We are one step ahead of the threats, and in so doing, we have been able to restore peace to some parts of the nation, especially the northeast, the southeast, and some parts of the north-central region. For those areas where we are still experiencing challenges, we are reviewing the situation. We are tweaking our strategy, and the troops are rearing to go. We will continue to provide the necessary support to the troops on the front line."
He assured the nation of the Army's unwavering dedication: "My pledge to the nation is that the Army will continue to be up and doing. The troops will continue to combat the threats, and in the foreseeable future, we will experience peace all across the nation."
Gen. Lagbaja acknowledged the significance of the Nigerian Army Day Celebration (NADCEL): "NADCEL is a tradition designed to appreciate our soldiers for their service to our fatherland. It is also to appreciate our families for the burden they bear while the troops are deployed on the front line. It is also an occasion to thank Nigerians for their support to their Army."
He called on Nigerians to continue their support: "On this occasion of the interdenominational church service for the Nigerian Army, my message to the generality of Nigerians is that they should continue to support their Army by providing information, moral, spiritual, and whatever support they can. With this support, the soldiers on the front line will be motivated to give their all in the defense of the nation. And in doing that, we will experience sustainable peace across the nation."
Gen. Lagbaja concluded with a message of gratitude and pride: "I must say it is with a profound sense of pride and humility that I congratulate officers and men of the Nigerian Army and members of our families on the occasion of today’s Interdenominational Church Services being held across our formations and units in commemoration of NADCEL 2024. This year, the Nigerian Army turns 161 years since its inception, and counting our successes in the past year, we realize the need to celebrate and thank God for His countless blessings and many victories."