Eid-el-Kabir: COAS salutes troops, appreciates sacrifices in combating insecurity

The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Maj.-Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, has expressed appreciation to troops of the Nigerian Army for their commitment and sacrifice towards combating emerging security challenges in theatres of operations across the country.

Lagbaje said this in his Goodwill message to troops and their families to mark Eid-el-kabir celebration on Wednesday in Abuja.

The Director, Army Public Relations, Brig.-Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu, made this known in a statement in Abuja.

The COAS expressed gratitude to the Almighty God for his protection and guidance.

He said that the Eid-el-Kabir festival represented the virtues of sacrifice and submission to the will of the Almighty Allah, as exemplified by Prophet Abraham and emulated by Prophet Muhammad (SAW).

He added that the season brought to remembrance the supreme sacrifice officers and soldiers of the Nigerian army made on daily basis to ensure the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the nation were preserved at all times.

Lagbaja said that the celebration also embodied courage, selfless service, discipline, integrity, respect for others and loyalty as the core values of the army.

He urged the troops to leverage the spirituality of the occasion to pray for the Nigerian army, as it tried to combat security challenges in all theatres operations across the country.

Lagbaja, who recently assumed office as the 23rd COAS, said his appointment was a call to engender change and make a difference towards the fulfillment of the constitutional mandate of the army, in line with his command philosophy.

According to him, his command philosophy is ” to transform the Nigerian Army into a well-trained, equipped, and highly motivated force towards achieving our constitutional responsibilities within a joint environment”.

He lauded the troops deployed in ongoing operations within and outside the shores of the country for their sacrifice.

“In the course of my career, I witnessed in different capacities, your efforts and sacrifices.

“Therefore, I have no doubt about the zeal and commitment of our troops in ensuring the success of the NA in combating the complex, multifaceted, and unpredictable security threats bedeviling our country, alongside our sister services, the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies,” he said.

The COAS gave assurance to provide the needed leadership and consolidate on the achievements of the army in ensuring that the current security distractions confronting the nation were decimated.

He urged troops to remain resolute, undaunted, disciplined and patriotic in combating the adversaries of the country.

Lagbaja expressed gratitude to the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, President Bola Tinubu, for the confidence reposed in him and the Nigerian Army.

He reaffirmed the loyalty of officers and soldiers of Nigerian Army to the constitution and president of the country.