In a directive issued on Wednesday, Lt Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, the Chief of Army Staff, instructed commanders in the North West region to promptly attend to the administrative needs of their subordinates. Lagbaja emphasized that this action would enhance the morale of troops operating in the region.
During the closing of a three-day retreat for current and former commanders of operations in the North West held in Abuja, Lagbaja, represented by Chief of Operations Maj.-Gen. Boniface Sinjen, accentuated the importance of securing the North West region, a significant trade hub of the country.
As Lagbaja stated, “Commanders in the northwest zone must exhibit courage, ingenuity, innovation, critical thinking, and effective communication skills. Securing the Northwest zone is vital for the overall benefit of the nation, urging commanders to elevate their efforts to bring peace to the region.”
Addressing the attendees, Lagbaja highlighted the significance of promptly catering to the administrative needs of subordinates to strengthen the morale and combat readiness of the troops. He commended the retreat for providing clarity on events, reinforcing positive aspects, and addressing operational shortcomings.
The recommendations put forth during the retreat will aid in the evaluation of current operations in the North West for enhanced performance. Lagbaja acknowledged the decline in incidents of kidnapping, banditry, and abduction in rural communities but expressed concern over the shift of criminal activities towards urban areas in the region.
The Chief of Army Staff stressed the necessity of operational logistics, administrative enhancements, and interagency cooperation in tackling security challenges in the North West. He urged for increased collaboration with other agencies to ensure the safety and security of citizens in their daily activities.
Maj.-Gen. Garba Wahab (retd.), the Director-General of the Nigerian Army Resource Centre, emphasized the collaborative efforts of the armed forces and other security agencies in their operations. He highlighted the need for appraising army operations to leverage strengths, address weaknesses, and enhance overall performance for effective security measures.
Wahab reiterated that the Nigerian military, with adequate support and cooperation from stakeholders and society, possesses the capabilities to tackle security challenges successfully.