Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Maj.-Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, has appealed for continuous support for the Nigerian Army to protect territorial integrity of the country.
Lagbaja made the call in his goodwill message at an Interdenominational Church Service at Mogadishu Military Cantonment, on Sunday in Abuja.
The interdenominational service held to mark the 2023 Nigerian Army Day Celebration (NADCEL).
The theme of the celebration is: “Sound Administration as Panacea for Effective Military Operation”.
He recalled that the Nigerian Army had come a long way since its establishment in 1865.
The COAS said the Army had lived up to expectations in protecting territorial integrity of Nigeria.
He, however, acknowledged that this is not without its challenges.
“The nation has faced some security challenges along the way, but the troops have been responding to these challenges.
“Upon my assumption of duty as the 23rd COAS, I implore Nigerians to continue to support the army.
“I pledge the unalloyed loyalty of troops to the constitution and the government of the day.
“We will continue to do all within our power to combat every security challenge confronting the country.
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“And we will meet the expectations of Nigerians in providing a secured environment for economic activities to thrive,” Lagbaja said.
The Nigerian army, he said, had recorded considerable achievements, especially in the ongoing fight against insurgency, banditry and other criminality.
He added that the army had continued to coordinate efforts closely with sister services and other security agencies to sustain the pressure on enemies.
“For instance, our coordinated efforts in the North-East theatre under “Operation Hadin Kai“ has yielded considerable successes.
“As of today, we have over a hundred thousand members of the dreaded Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) that have surrendered to the Nigerian troops,“ he said.
Earlier, the Acting Director of Chaplain Services Protestant, Nigerian Army, Lt.-Col. Bilson Newton commended the Nigerian army for celebrating yet another anniversary.
Newton urged the Army to redouble its efforts in tackling security threats to the country headlong.
He said that for the military operation to succeed, everyone must play his or her part.
The chaplain expressed appreciation to the security personnel for ensuring that peace and tranquillity reigned supreme in the country.
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