By Chijioke Kingsley
Abuja (Sundiata Post) – The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), LT.-Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja has said over 50,000 officers and men of the Nigerian Army are not celebrating this year’s Christmas with their families because of the task of keeping the country safe.
Lagbaja said the soldiers are in the various troubled locations in Nigeria ensuring that they stop insurgents and the never do wells from carrying out heinous crimes. https://sundiatapost.com/coas-celebrates-christmas-with-troops-in-sokoto/
COAS stated this on Monday in Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau State, during a Christmas Luncheon organized for troops of Operation Safe Haven (OPSH), to appreciate their sacrifice for the country.
Represented by the Officer Commanding Division Corps of Artillery, Maj.-Gen. Markus Kangye, Lagbaja said the soldiers in various bushes, hamlets and hinterlands are paying a huge price in accordance with their line of duty to maintain the oath taken to serve the country under difficult terrain.
He said however, to aid the task of security seamless for the soldiers, the Nigerian Army has concluded plans to receive more delivery of helicopters and other combat enablers to foster security.
He lauded the gallant soldiers in the OPSH Step-Up headquarters in Mangu, promising that the Army will always see to their welfare. https://sundiatapost.com/coas-directs-immediate-enrollment-of-all-army-personnel-families-in-nhis/
Earlier in his remarks, the General Officer Commanding, 3 Division Nigerian Army and Commander Operation Safe Haven, Maj.-Gen. Abdulsalam Abubakar, said the efforts of troops in line with the Commands rules of engagement in restoring peace in Plateau, Southern Kaduna and some parts of Bauchi State, has come with a lot of adverse effects on the troops.
Abubakar said many soldiers have lost their lives and have been wounded during battle with criminal elements.
He said though success stories of recovery of illegal arms, arrest of cattle rustlers, gunrunners, insurgents, etc, have been recorded.
“Last night alone, we couldn’t sleep because we received over 36 distress calls”, he said.
On his part, the Plateau State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang, said part of his promise upon assuming office was to support security agencies in providing security to the State.
He said he is glad that the OPSH has proven that enabling environment for peace is achievable.
According to him: “It is gladdening to mention that the efforts of troops in OPSH have provided an enabling environment and support upon which the State government activities are thriving.
“The relative peace and security that is being enjoyed is as a result of the concerted efforts of the military and other security agencies in support of the government of Plateau in its determination to restore the State to its glory of being the Home of Peace and Tourism.
“I urge you all not to relent in your efforts until the State is entirely secured. Let me restate the commitment of my administration in supporting the troops of OPSH with logistics within the available resources of the State to tackle the myriad of security challenges, particularly the fresh attacks that led to loss of lives in some parts of Mangu and Bokkos Local Government Areas”, Mutfwang said.
