Lagbaja Harps On Regular Operational Review To Combat Terrorism

The Chief of Army Staff, Lt-Gen Taoreed Lagbaja, has harped on regular review of operational engagement to reinvigorate ongoing efforts against non-state actors across the country.

Lagbaja stated this at the opening of a 3-Day Retreat for Past and Present Commanders of Nigerian Army Operations in North West, with the theme, “Re-appraising the Nigerian Army’s Approach to Tackling Insecurity in the North West,” at the Nigerian Army Resource Centre (NARC) Abuja.

The COAS, who was represented by the Chief of Operations, Maj.-Gen. Benson Sinjen said the security situation in the North West was made complex by activities of non-state actors who engage in banditry, kidnappings, cattle rustling, illegal mining and violent attacks on innocent citizens.

He said such activities had led to the destruction of lives, properties and means of livelihoods.

According to him, the activities of these non-state actors have continued to impact the security environment across the country despite unrelenting efforts by the army, sister services and other security agencies to curb the trend.

The Army Chief said that surmounting insecurity in the North West region needed periodic review of the situation to truly understand the generality and specifics for seamless planning and execution of operations.

According to him, threats are always fluid and evolving, thus requiring them to adapt quickly to be at least a step ahead of the adversary.

Lagbaja said the retreat would allow operational and tactical level commanders to step away from their normal routines in the field and theatres of operations.

He said this would also review their past and present performances to reinvigorate future operations.
He added that the retreat would allow time for introspection, which will not only stimulate new perspectives and creative thinking but also facilitate problem solving.

“It will also provide a veritable opportunity for reviewing our efforts at appropriate levels and boosting troops’ morale.

“The retreat will also give impetus to operational efficiency in the pursuit of the pillars of the Nigerian Army mission statement and my command philosophy,” he said.

Lagbaja thanked President Bola Tinubu for his unwavering support to the army, pledging to execute his priority of securing the nation within the shortest time possible.

He also commended the troops for their perseverance, patriotism, and sacrifice and those who paid the supreme prize for the country.

The director general, NARC, Maj.-Gen. Garba Wahab (Rtd) said any operation that lasts beyond six months was subject to a review or after-action review, adding that the North West operation had lasted for years.
Wahab said there was a need to bring the past and present operations commanders together to proffer strong and profound solutions to the issues of operations, administration, logistics, and intelligence collaboration issues.

He said that the centre believed that bringing the commanders together would assist in getting new ideas and solutions towards creating an enabling environment in the area.
According to him, the military cannot solve the problem completely but should provide an enabling environment for other activities.