Operatives of the Nigerian Army have been directed to be adaptive and innovative in discharging their duties of safeguarding lives and property.

The Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen Taoreed Lagbaja, issued the directive to field commanders and troops the opening ceremony of the Chief of Army Staff Conference on Monday.

He ordered them to ensure that the adversaries of Nigeria were brought to their knees.

He observed that Nigeria had become more volatile and complex, which makes it imperatives for the commanders to be innovative.

Consequently, Lt Gen Lagbaja implored his men to restore peace and stability in areas experiencing security challenges across Nigeria.

According to Lt Gen Lagbaja, Nigeria is currently facing security challenges, including banditry, terrorism, and kidnapping among others. These challenges have resulted in the deaths and abductions of many citizens.

He noted that both troops and commanders must remain committed to their constitutional mandates.

He said, “It is imperative to reiterate that our primary focus remains the preservation of our nation’s territorial integrity, safeguarding the lives and properties of loyal citizens, and upholding the principles of justice and equity.

“As leaders of our Army, we must create that awareness across the force that the season we are in is more volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous than before. We must, therefore, continue to be adaptive, ingenious, innovative, and ready to take up more non-traditional military responsibilities if we must help our dear country survive the time we are in.

“I charge field commanders across various theatres of operations, including our gallant troops, to remain committed to bringing the nation’s adversaries to their knees and restoring sanity in troubled areas across the country.”

As part of this, Lt Gen Lagbaja urged the troops and commanders to enhance their intelligence gathering and respect human rights while going about their duties.

“We must continue to strengthen our operational capabilities, enhance intelligence gathering, foster inter-agency cooperation and prioritise the welfare of our personnel. Our commitment to professionalism, discipline, and respect for human rights must remain firm and obvious to all,” he added.

Lt Gen Lagbaja noted that the troops, apart from securing the country, had been contributing to global peace.

He said, “Only recently, with the approval of Mr President and Commander-in-Chief, the second company of the Nigerian contingent in the United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei was inducted on April 5, 2024.

“This effort is geared towards upholding our commitment to maintaining global peace and security, particularly within the African Continent.

“Similarly, the Nigerian Army has extended its support to peacekeeping missions in The Gambia and Guinea-Bissau by deploying troops and allocating resources.

“This deployment underscores our steadfast commitment to providing capable peacekeepers as part of our contributions to global peace and security.”

The Army Chief also said he has directed the Managing Director of Post-Service Housing Development Limited to set aside five percent of the Affordable Home Ownership Option for All Soldiers Scheme in each estate for allocation to these wounded and disabled soldiers.

He noted that the programme aimed at alleviating the hardship soldiers face in securing personal accommodation for post-service life.

According to Lt Gen Lagbaja, the Nigerian Army will cover all the housing expenses at 100 per cent for the soldiers.

“As a way of making the scheme inclusive and showing our sensitivity to the plight of soldiers with operational-related disabilities, I have directed the Managing Director of Post-Service Housing Development Limited to set aside five per cent of the AHOOAS Scheme in each estate for allocation to this category of soldiers.

“Additionally, the Nigerian Army will cover all the housing expenses at 100 per cent for the soldiers,” he said.