Be Ready To Defend Nigeria, No Matching Order To Invade Niger, Army Chief Clears The Air

The chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt General Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja, has urged the troops of the Nigerian Army to disregard any rumour peddling around that the Army has been given matching orders to invade the Niger Republic.

He further urged them to be combat-ready at all times, saying the Army is ready to defend Nigeria’s integrity if the need arises.

He further urged them to disregard any rumour peddling around that the Army has been given matching order to invade the Niger Republic.

Lagbaja stated this on Monday as part of his maiden operational visit to the 8 Division, Sokoto

The Army Chief noted that any information that does not emanate from defence headquarters is false and should be disregarded.

He, however, enjoined them to be combat-ready at all times stressing Nigerian Army is ready to defend Nigeria’s territorial integrity if the need arises.

Earlier, while commissioning the newly constructed 8 Vision, the army boss assured the people of Sokoto State that the Nigerian Army will remain resolute in dealing with the prevailing security threats across the country.

He said the Nigerian Army was committed to implementing Mr Tinubu’s marching orders to armed forces to deal with all security challenges facing the country decisively.

“In this regard, I want to state that the Nigerian Army under my watch will remain resolute in decisively dealing with any threat confronting the country, bring security apparatus closer to the region in view of emerging security challenges in the area.

He maintained that with the commissioning of the newly built 8 Division, the soldiers and officers now have a conducive working environment.

“With the commissioning of this new edifice, the soldiers and officers now have a conducive working environment, this will also enhance their performance he stated.

He thanked the former chief of army staff, Lt General Farouk Yahaya Rtd, for providing funds for the construction of the edifice.

He, therefore, urged those in charge to imbibe the culture of maintenance, stressing that other remaining facilities would soon be provided.

In his vote of thanks, the General Officer, Commanding 8 Division, Maj Gen Godwin Mutkut, thanked the Army chief for finding time to come and commission the building despite his tight schedule.

Mutkut who is also the commander of joint task force operation Hadarin Daji promised that the edifice would be maintained.

He noted that the moving of the Division to the permanent site would enhance the performance of soldiers and officers of the Division. (Courtesy, excluding headline, Nigerian Tribune)

•Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt General Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja with troop at the 8 Division, Sokoto