Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Lt Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja has asked personnel of the Nigerian Army to renew their hope in the unity of the country and fight to keep Nigeria safe and secure.
He said the Army remains committed, determined and focused on ensuring the total defeat of insurgents, bandits, and all other forms of external and internal threats to our dear country.
Lagbaja stated these in a goodwill message to felicitate with the officers, soldiers and civilian staff of the Nigerian Army and family members on the occasion of Eid-el-Fitr celebration.
He said, “As we celebrate Eid-El-Fitr 2024, I challenge you to renew your hope and faith in the unity of our nation and continue to fight for the just cause of keeping Nigeria safe and secure. I urge all officers and soldiers of the Nigerian Army to use this Eid-El-Fitr celebration to pray for our continued successes, I once again wish our Muslim faithful and, indeed, all Nigerian Army personnel and their family members a wonderful and happy Eid-El-Fitr celebration,”.
He said the overlapping of the Lenten and Ramadan seasons this year offered a good lesson to us as a nation on the need to live in harmony with one another.
The Army chief said the spiritual exercises created a solemn atmosphere for Christians and Muslims alike to reflect and pray for the nation and leaders as we navigate the current economic and security realities that we face.
He called on Nigerians to pray for the repose of the souls of departed colleagues who paid the supreme price in the line of duty and the families they left behind.
He thanked the personnel for their continued contributions towards ensuring the total defeat of adversarial elements troubling the nation.
Lagbaja said “Your commitment and sacrifices in the fight against terrorism, banditry, oil theft, illegal mining, and other forms of criminalities challenging our existence as a Nation have not gone unnoticed by the government and the people of Nigeria,” .
The army chief said the federal government has within available means, kept faith with its promise to make the welfare of members of the Armed Forces and our families of utmost importance.
He added, “The only way to reciprocate this is by redoubling our efforts at creating the right environment for peace and economic prosperity of our people and country. I challenge you not to rest on your oars as we continue to work with our sister services and other security agencies in implementing strategic policies of the government through successful operational activities and effective tactical actions.”
