Lt. Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), recently disclosed plans to deploy 5,937 newly trained soldiers to tackle various security challenges across Nigeria. Here are the key points from his address during the passing out parade for the 86 regular recruit intake at the Depot Nigeria Army in Zaria:
1. **Deployment and Mission Scope:**
– The 5,937 soldiers will be deployed to combat insurgency in the north-east, banditry, and cattle rustling in the north-west.
– They will also address farmers/herders clashes in the north-central, secessionist agitation and cultism in the south-east, and militancy and vandalism in the south-south and south-west regions.
2. **Continuous Training and Readiness:**
– Gen. Lagbaja emphasized that training is ongoing in the military, with post-depot training packages aimed at enhancing soldiers’ proficiency with various weapons and equipment.
– This continuous training is crucial to ensuring that soldiers are well-prepared to handle the diverse security challenges across the country.
3. **Improvement in Welfare Packages:**
– The COAS highlighted efforts to improve existing welfare packages for soldiers, focusing on their medical, recreational, and educational needs. This improvement is aimed at enhancing career fulfillment and overall well-being.
4. **Commitment to Sacrifice and Duty:**
– Gen. Lagbaja commended the recruits for their dedication and sacrifice in choosing the life of a soldier. He emphasized that being a soldier requires allegiance to defending the country and being prepared to sacrifice personal comfort and even one’s life for the nation.
5. **Expectations and Discipline:**
– He charged the new soldiers not to disappoint the Nigerian Army and the country’s expectations of them. He stressed the importance of discipline, loyalty, integrity, and dedication to duty, qualities essential for soldiers to uphold.
6. **Acknowledgment and Support:**
– The COAS praised the commandant and instructors at Depot NA for their successful training of the recruits. He assured them of the Army headquarters’ support in achieving the institution’s training objectives.
In conclusion, Lt. Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja’s address underscores the Nigerian Army’s commitment to addressing national security challenges through continuous training, improved welfare, and dedication to duty among its personnel.