The Chief of Army Staff (CoAS), Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja, has emphasized the need for a whole-of-society approach in tackling the complex conflicts facing Nigeria.
According to Director Army Public Relations Major General Onyema Nwachukwu, the CoAS made this call during the Nigerian Army Day Celebration (NADCEL) lecture and the award ceremony of the CoAS maiden literary competition at Gowon Hall, Crispan Hotel, Jos, Plateau State, on Thursday, July 4, 2024.
Lieutenant General Lagbaja stressed that the Nigerian Army (NA) and other security agencies cannot solve the nation’s security challenges alone. He called for collective efforts from all stakeholders to address the root causes of these conflicts and provide lasting solutions.
In his address, the CoAS highlighted the NA’s ongoing counter-terrorism and counter-insurgency efforts, noting the need for continuous review of strategies, operational concepts, and tactics to adapt to the ever-changing security environment. He affirmed that the NA remains at the forefront of countering security threats and called for the support of all Nigerians in this endeavor. He also expressed gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his strategic guidance and invaluable support for the NA, pledging the Army’s continuous loyalty to the Constitution and Government of the Federal Republic.
The event featured a lecture by the guest speaker, Lieutenant General Lamidi Adeosun (rtd), titled “Combating Complex Conflicts in Nigeria: Challenges and Strategies.” General Adeosun examined the characteristics, challenges, and strategies for effective operations in addressing Nigeria’s complex conflicts. He stressed the importance of a whole-of-society approach to promote national security.
Former Chief of Defence Staff, General Lucky Irabor, also shared his insights, emphasizing the need for innovative thinking to solve security issues and acknowledging the importance of security reforms.
The event included an interactive session with distinguished resource persons, the presentation of awards to winners of the CoAS’s maiden literary competition, and the unveiling of the 7th edition of the Nigerian Army Resource Centre (NARC) Journal. Dignitaries in attendance included representatives of Service Chiefs, former Inspector General of Police Dr. Solomon Arase, Principal Staff Officers from Defence and Services Headquarters, media executives, and both serving and retired senior officers.
