The Nigerian Army has deployed cutting-edge equipment for operations around the nation in an effort to combat instability, according to Lt. Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, Chief of Army Staff.

The purpose of deploying sophisticated equipment, the Army said, was to strengthen the fight against terrorists, bandits, and other criminal forces that fomenting instability in Nigeria.

Lt. Gen. Lagbaja, represented by the Garrison Officer Commander 8 Division, Maj Gen Godwin Mutkut, assured at a media chat organised by the Nigerian Army civil-military cooperation, in Sokoto on Wednesday, that the Nigerian Army would continue to implement robust strategies that span relevant measures across kinetic and non-kinetic lines of operations.

He said, “I am glad to state that the Nigerian Army has taken delivery of some modern equipment and other combat enablers while the provisions of more have been finalised.

“The new additions to our operational capacity have been deployed and their effects are been witnessed across various theatres of operations.

“In consonance with my command philosophy, measures have been emplaced to ensure that our troops are well trained and motivated to adequately discharge their constitutional responsibilities.

“The culmination of these efforts is increasing tempo in all our operations and some remarkable success across the theatres.”

The COAS also emphasised that the desire to ensure the quick resolution of the security challenges necessitated the deployment of Nigerian Army troops across various theatres in all geopolitical zones in the country.

He said the deployment was carefully done to deal with the multiplicity of security challenges in the respective regions.

“It is important to state that the activities of non-state actors that seek to undermine the security, well-being and collective prosperity of our country would be highly degraded and almost non-existent without the collaboration of some unpatriotic and unscrupulous persons in the society.”

He, however, called on the media not to unconsciously provide non-state actors the oxygen to thrive by propagating their nefarious activities.

“This is because terrorists, insurgents, and other deviants seek attention and thrive on propaganda and rain of fear on well-meaning citizens.

“It is our collective efforts that would guarantee the effective decimation of insecurity and restoration of peace in our society.”

He, however, explained that the essence and desire for peace and security also require the proper harnessing of the collective strength of all well-meaning individuals and organisations.

Lt. Gen. Lagbaja further explained that the best strategy to deal with contemporary security challenges in the country encompasses the collective strength of all individuals, organisation synergising in a whole-of-nation approach to defeat the common enemy of the nation.

He commended President Bola Tinubu for his continuous strategic guidance and unwavering support to the Nigerian Army since his assumption of office.

Also speaking, the Chief of civil-military affairs, Major General Nosakhare Ugbo, said the objectives of the Nigerian Army Civil-Military Cooperation Media Chat include providing the means to propagate military activities to the general public as well as engaging with the media to strengthen and foster mutually beneficial ideas.

“As an aspect of the Nigerian army’s non-kinetic line of operation, the Military-Media relation is considered crucial and must be kept agile through frequent engagements.

“Accordingly, the Nigerian Army Civil-Military Cooperation Quarterly Media Chat is one of the several ways of promoting collaboration between the Army and media towards nation development. It is envisaged that this gathering will provide the opportunity for the Nigerian Army and media executives and experts gathered here to interact on mutually beneficial issues.”