Army will defend Nigeria’s democracy at all cost, COAS vows
The Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja, has declared that the Nigerian military will always defend the nation’s democracy at all costs using every constitutional means.
Lt. General Lagbaja spoke at the Passing Out Parade of officers of Executive Commission Course One of the Army School of Infantry, Jaji, Kaduna State, on Saturday.
The Director, Army Public Relations, Brigadier General Onyema Nwachukwu, revealed this in a statement.
“He emphasized that the desire of every Nigerian is a flourishing, uninterrupted constitutional democratic governance, that promotes national values and the interest of every well-meaning Nigerian, irrespective of ethnic or religious affiliation.
“He is assuring of the unalloyed loyalty and commitment of officers and soldiers of the Nigerian Army to stoutly defend the nation’s territorial integrity and ensure internal security against non-state actors such as Boko Haram terrorists, bandits, Indigenous People of Biafra (POB) and other criminal elements,” he said.
The COAS, however, warned that the activities of Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province terrorist groups in the North East, kidnappings and banditry in the North West and North Central as well as secessionist agitations by IPOB in the South East could undermine the nation’s cherished corporate existence and national security if they not immediately nipped in the bud.
According to the Army chief, the graduating officers must therefore brace up for the arduous task ahead. He said most of them will be deployed to the battlefields where their services are highly needed to surmount all security threats.
He further warned the officers, urging them to avoid any acts of insubordination and to maintain a non-political stance while fulfilling their constitutional duties of safeguarding their fatherand.
