Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, extolled the unwavering commitment and selflessness exhibited by the valiant troops of the Nigerian Army (NA) in confronting the multifaceted security challenges confronting our nation. In an official statement released by Director of Army Public Relations, Brigadier General Onyema Nwachukwu, Minister Abubakar conveyed his commendations following a comprehensive briefing on the operational undertakings of the NA during his inaugural familiarization visit to the Army Headquarters, Abuja, on Tuesday, October 24, 2023.
During this visit, Minister Abubakar was accompanied by the Honourable Minister of State for Defence, Dr. Bello Muhammed Matawalle, and the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa. The Minister acknowledged the relentless efforts of the Nigerian Army in addressing emergent security concerns and emphatically assured that the Federal Government remains resolute in its commitment to support the Nigerian Army, with a particular emphasis on enhancing morale and operational effectiveness by providing crucial resources such as accommodation, manpower, logistics, and combat enablers.
Minister Abubakar also conveyed his felicitations to the Chief of Army Staff (CoAS), Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja, for the notable achievements accomplished thus far. Furthermore, he affirmed that the Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, stands unwavering in his dedication to assisting the NA in the fulfillment of its constitutional obligations. He urged the troops to persist in their mission to restore peace to our nation.
In his remarks, the Honourable Minister of State for Defence, Dr. Bello Matawalle, called upon all Nigerians to recognize and appreciate the extraordinary sacrifices and dedication exhibited by the men and women in uniform, who selflessly dedicate themselves to safeguarding our nation. Matawalle also implored the public to rally behind the officers and personnel of the Armed Forces as they dutifully execute their fundamental mandate of protecting the citizenry. He underscored that the approach of the Nigerian Army to resolving the issue of insecurity requires a comprehensive societal effort, emphasizing that a Non-Kinetic approach is indispensable for making holistic decisions that will further the cause of peace and tranquility in our country.
Minister of State, Dr. Bello Matawalle, further advocated for the sharing of intelligence among various security agencies to augment ongoing security operations.
In response, Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja, expressed profound gratitude to the Honourable Minister and the Minister of State for Defence for their staunch support of the NA’s unwavering commitment to combat insecurity.
He highlighted the substantial contributions received by the NA from the Federal Government, affirming that these interventions have had a positive and tangible impact on the effectiveness of NA operations. General Lagbaja reiterated the NA’s pledge to work in harmony with sister services and other security agencies to ensure that our nation is not let down in its quest for comprehensive security that fosters peace and stability.
