Would you like to receive notifications on latest updates of the following headlines?

Military Won't Be Used to Truncate Democratic Governance - Lagbaja

POSTED ON August 28, 2024 •   Breaking News      BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara
Nigeria Army

The Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, on Tuesday, restated that the military would not allow itself to be used by some interest groups to truncate democratic governance in the country.

Lagbaja spoke in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State capital, during the opening ceremony of the COAS Combined 2nd and 3rd Quarters Conference on Tuesday.

While noting that such a call for a military takeover was coming from young Nigerians, who had never experienced the era of Nigeria’s extensive military rule, the COAS said the Nigerian Army was not ready to lose the “new prestige”  it had painstakingly built in the past 25 years by truncating the nation’s democratic rule.

Describing the recent nationwide hunger protest or #EndBadgovernance in Nigeria protest as an eye-opener, the COAS said a lesson to take away was that food insecurity and hunger in the country could snowball into a major crisis.

He said, “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 the 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 lose the new prestige it has painstakingly built in the past 25 years, secure and united.”

Lagbaja said that following the lesson taken from the recent hunger protest, the Armed Forces would not only focus on physical security and the defence of the nation but would also pay attention to food and social security issues.

He said though the situation that led to the protest seemed to have settled, the Nigerian Army understood that the issue of food insecurity was among the factors that led to the protest, pledging the Army’s resolve to wade in through the review of its agricultural policy.

He said the Nigerian Army troops currently provide security cover for farmers in critical farming communities in the North-East, North-West, and North Central zones so as to prevent the devastating consequences of stopping food production in those regions on the entire country’s food supply chain.

The COAS stated, “The Nigerian Army will, in the coming days, review its agricultural policy to better position the Nigerian Army Farms and Ranches Limited to significantly boost crop production so that the Army can release grains into the market at a highly subsidised rate in support of government efforts.

“Furthermore, the Army Headquarters is reviewing some proposals for partnerships with ministries, departments, and agencies of government and reputable private organisations on how best to collaborate to resolve food crisis in the country.”

Lagbaja noted that the Nigerian Army and its sister services had continued to receive support from the government at both the national and sub-national levels, as shown in the recent purchase of two BELL UH-1 Huey helicopters equipped with advanced sensors and enablers to conduct a range of missions, including reconnaissance, surveillance, logistics, and medical evacuation, among other functions for the Nigerian Army.

He disclosed that the Nigerian Army had acquired other combat enablers, such as Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected Vehicles, rifles, and ammunition, to strengthen their operations and security across the country.

He noted that the giant strides the Army had made so far were not unconnected with the cooperations of sister security agencies, national and sub-national governments.

The COAS stressed that the welfare of widows and family members of fallen heroes remained on course.

The Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Umo Eno, who declared the conference open, expressed happiness that the conference was held in Akwa Ibom and commended the COAS for the  “purposeful direction he has given Nigerian Army towards meeting its constitutional responsibility.

Eno noted that the Army was constantly innovating, deepening its competence and professionalism.

He, therefore, pledged the state government’s readiness to lend all necessary support to enable the establishment of the proposed Army base in the state as well as other logistics.

READ ALSO
Tinubu Launches Lagos-Calabar Highway, Ignoring Sanwo-Olu Amidst Economic Challenges
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 1, 2025 0

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Saturday overlooked Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu during th...

READ ALSO
China to Advocate for African Rights on Global Stage
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara May 31, 2025 0

The Chinese Counselor at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Shen Sha, has reiterated China's strong de...

READ ALSO
China-Africa Institute to Launch First Museum in China Celebrating African History and Culture
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara May 31, 2025 0

The China-Africa Institute, part of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, has unveiled plans to cr...

READ ALSO
Niger Flood Claims 21 Lives, Amid Ongoing Rescue Efforts As Local Officials Report 60+ Fatalities
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara May 30, 2025 0

MINNA, Nigeria - At least 21 individuals, including children and adults, have been confirmed dead, w...

READ ALSO
South Africa Surpasses Nigeria in Fuel Imports Amid Dangote Refinery Operations
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara May 29, 2025 0

Nigeria has lost its long-standing title as Africa’s largest importer of refined petroleum pro...

READ ALSO
Nigeria's Internet Penetration Struggles to Meet 2025 Goals Amid Economic Pressures
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara May 27, 2025 0

Nigeria's telecommunications industry is facing a challenging situation, with internet penetration r...

READ ALSO
Lagos State Partners with Jospong Group for Innovative Waste Management Initiative
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara May 27, 2025 0

LAGOS, Nigeria - The Lagos State Government has entered into a waste management and processing conce...

READ ALSO
FG Launches Urgent Evacuation, Demolition of Illegal Structures Under Iddo Bridge
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara May 26, 2025 0

LAGOS, Nigeria - The federal government has commenced the evacuation and demolition of illegal struc...

OUR CHANNELS:

China to Advocate for African Rights on Global Stage
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara May 31, 2025 0

The Chinese Counselor at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Shen Sha, has reiterated China's strong de...


China-Africa Institute to Launch First Museum in China Celebrating African History and Culture
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara May 31, 2025 0

The China-Africa Institute, part of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, has unveiled plans to cr...


Botswana's Speaker Lauds China's Commitment to African Development
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara May 31, 2025 0

The Speaker of the National Assembly of Botswana, Dithapelo Keorapetse, has praised China for its de...


WHO Calls for Immediate Ban on Flavored Tobacco Products to Protect Youth
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara May 31, 2025 0

The World Health Organization (WHO) unveiled a new publication on Friday, urging governments to swif...


WHO Unveils New Vaccination Strategies to Protect Infants from RSV
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara May 31, 2025 0

The World Health Organization announced on Friday its recommendations for two new vaccination option...


Federal Ministry Unveils Digital Village to Bridge Digital Divide in Abuja Community
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara May 30, 2025 0

The Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy has launched a Digital Villag...


Niger Flood Claims 21 Lives, Amid Ongoing Rescue Efforts As Local Officials Report 60+ Fatalities
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara May 30, 2025 0

MINNA, Nigeria - At least 21 individuals, including children and adults, have been confirmed dead, w...


NGO Calls for Tax Elimination on Sanitary Pads to Promote Menstrual Hygiene
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara May 30, 2025 0

A non-governmental organization (NGO), FAB Treasure Foundation, urged the federal government on Thur...


Tinubu Commits to Collaborative Efforts with AfDB's New Leadership, Congratulate Sidi Tah
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara May 30, 2025 0

President Bola Tinubu has praised the election of Sidi Tah as the ninth president of the African Dev...


Tinubu Champions Sports as Catalyst for Economic Growth at National Sports Festival
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara May 30, 2025 0

OGUN, Nigeria - President Bola Tinubu has urged governments at all levels to utilize sports as a mea...


More Articles

Load more...

Menu