[BREAKING] Killing of 21 Soldiers: Lagbaja visits FOB Erena, Shiroro, charges troops to defeat terrorists

The Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen Taoreed Lagbaja has charged troops to ‘defeat the adversaries of our people and take back every inch of space where they are occupying in our land’.

He gave the charge following troops’ encounter with insurgents in Zungeru general area of Niger state, in which gallant troops of the Nigerian Army paid the supreme price in defence of the country.

A statement by the Director, Army Pubkic Relations, Brig Gen Onyema Nwachukwu said the COAS spoke on Wednesday immediately he arrived the Forward Operating Base Erena in Shiroro LGA of Niger state, where he was briefed on the current security situation by the General Officer Commanding 1 Division, Maj Gen Bamidele Alabi.

Lagbaja had arrived Minna, Niger state capital, late night Tuesday 15 August 2023 and on Wednesday he immediately moved to FOB Erena in Shiroro.

Addressing the troops, the COAS urged them to “rally together and be more resolute in bringing the nation’s adversaries to their knees and restore sanity in troubled areas.

“He maintained that the fight against insurgents and bandits is a just cause, in defence of Nigerians and the nation.

According to the Army Chief, “Protecting lives and defending your nation are the noblest service anyone can offer.

“You are therefore in the noble profession of arms and must not allow your morale to dwindle.

“We must defeat the adversaries of our people and take back every inch of space where they are hibernating in our land”, he added.

Gen Lagbaja assured the troops that he will do all within available resources to give Nigerian Army personnel and their families the best in terms of welfare.

He disclosed, that this is topmost in the pillars of his Command Philosophy.

He directed the immediate reinforcement of the troops with additional combat enablers to enhance their operational effectiveness.