Nigeria’s Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt Gen Taoreed Lagbaja, has restated his commitment to the fight against insecurity in Imo, the southeast and Nigeria at large.
Lagbaja stated this while addressing newsmen at the barracks of the 34 Artillery Brigade of the Nigerian Army in Obinze, Owerri, on Thursday.
Lagbaja, who was visiting Imo for the first time since his assumption of office as Nigeria’s 23rd COAS in June 2023, said that his visit was part of an operational tour of formations and units of the army in the country.
He said that the visit was to ascertain the state of their infrastructure and access the deployment of troops to further empower them and ensure a conducive working environment.
He thanked President Bola Tinubu for his logistics and other forms of support, which have improved the morale of his men and soldiers.
He advised the troops of the brigade to reciprocate government’s support by upholding the tenets of discipline, loyalty and hard work while assuring them of improved working conditions.
He further assured the Imo people of the Nigerian Army’s commitment to their continued security, adding that any attempt to disrupt the peace in the state would be met with fierce resistance.
“We will completely exterminate any dissident person or group and ensure that law-abiding citizens go about their lawful businesses without fear.
“The government has ordered that the backlog of benefits since the year 2011 for the families of our departed colleagues be cleared and we’re expecting more equipment to enhance our operations in the field.
“To this end, we must remain committed to our agenda of protecting and defending Nigeria’s sovereignty,” he said.
