President Bola Ahmed Tinubu ordered the immediate payment of all Group Life Assurance payments to the families of Nigerian Army commanders and soldiers who died fighting terrorists, thieves, and other criminals.
Lt. Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja announced yesterday at the Chief of Army Staff Combined Second and Third Quarter Conference 2003 in Abuja that the Nigerian Army, in Operation Udoka in the South East, had ended IPOB/ESN’s sit-at-home order, which had nearly paralysed socio-economic activities in the region.
He added that law-abiding residents can again go about their business without worry.
“As you are aware, all military operations come at a cost, the quantum of which cannot be accurately determined before it is incurred,” Gen. Lagbaja told MNJTF, Hadin Kai, GOCs, and corps commanders.
Our wins have cost us blood and riches, and we have suffered heavy defeats.
We haven’t wavered in our desire to keep the criminal elements of our society under constant pressure; in fact, their horrific crimes have only reinforced our will to attack them.
To increase operational impact, the Nigerian Army has developed special forces teams with specifically trained personnel to fight various crimes around the country.
Special forces set records in intelligence-led operations and cutting-edge technology.
Theatre commanders must “ensure the maintenance of these platforms and equipment to prolong their life span and enable the nation to optimise its investment as we continue to procure and induct more sophisticated platforms and equipment into the various theatres as force multipliers.”
We must appear professional and dedicated to demonstrate that we are serious about implementing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s command for the military and other security services to decisively address all security issues.
In light of this, my leadership philosophy is to ‘transform the Nigerian Army into a well-trained, equipped, and highly motivated force towards accomplishing our constitutional obligations within a joint environment.’
With this idea as our guide, I will lead the Nigerian Army to become a force that can operate and respond to any threat inside and outside Nigeria.
Operation Hadin Kai’s successes against Boko Haram and other North East terrorists are promising.
Our efforts have resulted in many terrorists surrendering guns and ammo.
The noble people of Borno, Yobe, and Adamawa states are progressively regaining their livelihood as the military and government restore administration to previously poor areas.
Operation Hadarin Daji and Operation Whirl Punch have curbed banditry and insurgency in the northern and central regions.
We have also strengthened our efforts to curb IPOB and ESN criminal activity in the South East.
In Operation Udoka, our forces removed the sit-at-home order that practically halted socioeconomic activity in the region with the support of other key players. Law-abiding residents can go about their business.
Our coordination with other government authorities has also foiled criminals’ attempts to hinder South West economic development.
Our troops in the South and South West have had significant success against illicit oil bunkering with Operation Delta Safe.
The country’s daily crude production has climbed significantly. Our anti-illegal bunkering operations have not yet succeeded as expected.
“I understand the importance of good management and military welfare to our operations. Therefore, we shall continue to prioritise soldier and family health and safety. To keep our troops focused on their objectives, I aim to streamline all welfare arrangements for them and their families.
We’ll also make sure low-income veterans have access to the recently adopted ‘Affordable Home Ownership Option for All Soldiers Scheme’ to provide appropriate housing after military duty.
“We will also care for our wounded warriors and the widows and families of our fallen heroes.”
According to Lagbaja, each COAS quarterly meeting reviews the Nigerian Army’s administrative, training, logistical, and operational actions and other significant themes.
It was impractical to have the second and third quarter conferences separately because 2023 saw several significant domestic and international events. You’ll agree that we have a full schedule ahead of us.
Most of us held high-level positions in the previous government, so we were part of its decision-making structure. Thus, we have all the tools to accurately assess the first quarter 2023 conference choices’ implementation.
These changes are needed to react to changing security and strategic landscapes. Thus, I urge everyone present to maximise the conference’s short time by brainstorming and evaluating our national and international operations and related activities.
“It is with all sense of humility that I desire to extend the Nigerian Army’s thanks, once again, to the President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu,” the Army chief said, “for mandating that all pending Group Life Assurance payment owing families of our deceased warriors be paid without delay
Source: Vanguardngr.com
