By Tola Gbadamosi

The Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja, has reaffirmed the Nigerian Army’s commitment to ending insurgency by developing modern operational tactics and procedures to address contemporary security challenges facing the country.

This was made known to The Hope Metro in a statement signed by Lieutenant Colonel Musa Adams Yahaya, the Acting Deputy Director of Army Public Relations, 1 Division Nigerian Army, on 31 October 2024. The statement noted, “Lt. Gen. Lagbaja gave this assurance during a Sensitization Seminar on Lessons Learned and Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear Terrorism organised by Army Headquarters Department of Transformation and Innovation (DATI) at the 1 Division Auditorium, Kaduna.”

The COAS, represented by the General Officer Commanding 1 Division and Commander Sector 1 Operation FASAN YAMMA, Major General Mayirenso Lander David Saraso, declared the seminar open, describing it as one of the many measures established to mitigate the challenges faced by troops operating in a complex security environment.

The COAS further stated that the lectures to be delivered aligned with his command philosophy for the Nigerian Army, which is to “Transform the Nigerian Army (NA) into a Well-trained, Equipped, and Highly Motivated Force towards Achieving our Constitutional Responsibility within a Joint Environment.”

The Army Chief affirmed that the NA will continue to develop operational tactics and procedures to counter contemporary security challenges. He also urged all commanders to bring forward ideas for enhancing troop welfare and maintaining battle readiness.

Earlier, in his welcome remarks, the Chief of Transformation and Innovation (Army), Major General Zakari Abubakar, highlighted that the theme reflected the Nigerian Army’s intention to revitalise the combat skills of troops.

He added that the seminar was organised to raise awareness and strengthen the leadership capabilities of Junior and Middle Cadre Officers, as well as troops of the NA at large.

Highlights of the event included paper presentations on topics such as Suppression of Acts of Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear (CBRN) Terrorism by Dr Nasiru-Deen Bello; Effect of Drug and Substance Abuse: Implications for Nigerian Army Operational Effectiveness by an NDLEA representative; and Nigerian Army Lessons Learned Processes by Major CB Onu. The event concluded with signing of visitor books, exchange of souvenirs, and group photographs.