The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa, has felicitated with members of the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) on the auspicious occasion of the Year 2024 Christmas celebrations in commemoration of the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ.
The CDS saluted troops’ sacrifices in the fight against terrorists and other criminal elements in defence of the nation.
General Musa charged members of the AFN and all security agencies to remain vigilant and committed to protecting the lives and properties of all Nigerians while warning subversive elements and enemies of the state to reconsider any intended negative actions during the festive period.
In a statement by the Acting Director of Defence Information, Brigadier General Tukur Gusau said that the birth of Jesus Christ was the heralding of good tidings and hope to the hopeless.
Therefore, he called on the Christian faithful in the AFN to use this period of Christmas for introspection and sober reflection on God’s immeasurable love for us as individuals and members of our families.
He also called on Nigerians to abide by Jesus Christ’s love, forgiveness, and togetherness teachings.
The CDS noted that the year has been eventful and dotted with a few incidents. He said despite all these, Almighty God has been gracious and merciful unto us as we are alive to witness another Christmas celebration.
He said, “We do remember with a heavy heart that some of our colleagues who started the year with us lost their lives in the process of keeping our nation safe from all forms of insecurity occasioned by the activities of terrorists, bandits and other non-state actors.
“As a mark of respect to our colleagues who paid the supreme price, the CDS urged our troops to ensure that 2025 is defined by positive changes in the security narratives in all our theatres of operations.”
The Defence Chief acknowledged with pride the troops’ resilience and imposing will to fight in various theatres of operations nationwide.
He saluted their courage and sacrifices in securing the lives and prosperity of our dear nation.
He further assured that the AFN would continue to align with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda while pledging the military’s unalloyed loyalty to the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
