Tony Anichebe 
…we won’t risk new prestige painstakingly built in the past 25 years
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt. General TA Lagbaja has vowed to ensure the sustainability of the nation’s democracy, stressing that the Army will never allow itself to be used to undemocratically sail some interests to power.
Gen. Lagbaja who made this remarks in an address presented at the OPENING CEREMONY OF THE CHIEF OF ARMY STAFF COMBINED SECOND AND THIRD QUARTERS CONFERENCE 2024 at the Akwa Ibom State Council of Chiefs Hall in Uyo on Tuesday also emphasized that the Army is not poised to losing the new prestige it has painstakingly built in the past 25 years.
According to him, “Another pertinent issue that came up during the recent protest is the call for undemocratic intervention in governance by the Armed Forces of Nigeria.
“Although one can say this was coming from young Nigerians who never experienced the era of Nigeria’s extensive military rule and the concerted struggle by heroes and heroines of our current democratic dispensation to get the Nation on its current path.
“As Chief of Army Staff, my simple response to the call is, “Thanks, but no thanks!” The Nigerian Army will not allow itself to be used to undemocratically sail some interests to power.
“As the Service that received the most image bashing as a fallout of previous military interventions in Nigeria, the Nigerian Army is not poised to losing the new prestige it has painstakingly built in the past 25 years Nigeria must remain
secure, and united”.
The Chief of Army Staff further highlighted, “we have witnessed a new set of security challenges in the Country.Aside from the known threats of terrorism, insurgency,banditry,illegal mining, and farmer/herder crises, the recent protests in the Country,which were primarily driven by discontent over economic issues and government policies, resulted in significant unrest and, in some cases, violence.
He averred, “This situation reminded us that as an Armed Force, we must not only focus on physical security and defense of the nation but that food and social security issues can snowball into physical security challenges.
“The protest that held between 1-10 August this year was largely driven by provocative and inciting social media traffic.
“Although it was professionally managed by the Nigeria Police Force supported by the military and other security agencies. The challenge that it posed is a pointer to the fact that the military must always remain professional”.
However , lagbaja said he is deeply saddened by the loss of lives and the destruction of public facilities, as well as looting as witnessed in some states.
He added “As investigations are instituted into the actions of both the protesters and security forces, I join other well-meaning Nigerians in condoling the families and loved ones of those who tragically lost their lives during the protests.
“As a creation of the Nigerian Constitution, the Nigerian Army recognizes citizens’right to air their grievances but believes such should only occur within the confines of the law.
Lagbaja maintained that the military operations in the various theatres have continued to degrade the country’s adversaries with telling consequences on the terrorists and other criminal groups.
He intoned , “We have not spared any effort to take the fight to their enclaves wherever they exist.For instance, being conscious of the critical nature of our oil and gas sector to the Nigerian economy, the Nigerian Army and other security agencies operating under the auspices of the Joint Task Force(South South) Operation DELTA SAFE have redoubled their efforts to boost Nigeria’s daily crude production.
“Our concerted operational activities have helped to reduce militancy, pipeline vandalism, crude oil theft, and illegal oil refining in the Niger Delta region. Regrettably, in the course of our operations across the Country, we have lost several of our colleagues, with many others wounded.
“I would like to pay a special tribute to these brave officers and soldiers for their immense sacrifice in ensuring that Nigeria remains safe”,
“The Nigerian Army remains resolute in sustaining the ongoing efforts to ensure maximum revenue accrues to the Federal Government for the benefit of the generality of Nigerians”. He added.
Gen. Lagbaja thanked Pastor Umo Eno, Executive Governor of Akwa Ibom State, for leading a delegation of ranking State officials from the Executive, Legislative, and Judicial arms to the Opening Ceremony .
He said, “Your Excellency, since we arrived, my team and I have been treated to the warmth and hospitality of the good people of Akwa Ibom State and we have been made to feel so much at home that some participants are already canvassing for the Annual Conference to hold in Uyo.
