Addressing commanders in the North West region, Lt Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, the Chief of Army Staff, emphasized the importance of promptly meeting the administrative needs of their subordinates to strengthen troop morale in operational areas.
During the closing session of a three-day retreat for both past and present commanders of operations in North West held in Abuja, Lagbaja, represented by Chief of Operations Maj.-Gen. Boniface Sinjen, highlighted the significance of the North West region as a trade hub of the country. Commanders were urged to intensify efforts to restore peace in the region.
He stressed the necessity for commanders in the northwest zone to exhibit courage, innovation, critical thinking, and effective communication skills. Securing the Northwest zone, being a vital trade axis in the country, is crucial for national prosperity.
“Commanders must elevate their performance and promptly address the administrative needs of their subordinates to enhance our fighting capacity,” Lagbaja stated.
The retreat facilitated a clear understanding of past events, reinforcement of positive aspects, and rectification of operational deficiencies in army operations in the Northwest.
Lagbaja mentioned that the recommendations put forward would contribute to evaluating current operations for enhanced army effectiveness.
“We have made advancements in reducing incidents of kidnapping, banditry, and abductions in rural areas within the zone. However, the concern now shifts to the migration of criminals to urban areas across the entire northwest.
“One of the primary objectives of this retreat was to evaluate operational logistics, administrative factors, and interagency cooperation in the zone.
“This prompted the invitation of our seasoned colleagues who have previously operated in the region before leaving the service,” he elaborated.
He also urged them to embrace full cooperation and collaboration in their operations, emphasizing the importance of close interaction with other agencies and services.
Collaborative efforts are essential to enabling Nigerians to engage in their daily activities without the fear of harassment or intimidation, according to Lagbaja.
Maj.-Gen. Garba Wahab (retd.), the Director-General of the Nigerian Army Resource Centre, underscored that all armed forces operations are conducted jointly with other security agencies.
The retreat aimed to evaluate the performance of Nigerian army operations, identify strengths and weaknesses, and explore avenues for enhanced performance.
Wahab emphasized that the Nigerian military, particularly the army, possesses the capability to overcome challenges but requires support from all stakeholders and society to succeed.