Military Seeks Citizens’ Support To Address Insecurity

The Nigerian Army has solicited citizens’ support to secure the nation.

The New Chief of Civil-Military Affairs, Nigerian Army (CCMA), Maj.-Gen. Gold Chibuisi made the call on Tuesday when he took over command of the department from his predecessor, Maj.-Gen. Nosakhare Ugbo.

He promised to do his best to ensure that the Nigerian army’s operations and activities reflected the people’s expectations.

He said, “We are responsible for projecting this essential organisation, the Nigerian army, to the people because the people own us.

“We have to reflect what the people want, and it is one that I am coming here with the best of my zeal for so that we can get the job done.

“I solicit your support, everyone, both the officers, the soldiers and, of course, our friends from the press.”

The CCMA thanked the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) for the privilege of serving in this capacity and pledged to deliver on the department’s mandate.

The immediate past CCMA, Maj-Gen Ugbo, said he promised, on the assumption of office in 2023, to do his best to interface with every Nigerian and international partner to ensure that the Nigerian army was projected as the ‘People’s Army’.

Ugbo said the department had ensured that the army conducted its operations in line with international best practices, adding that troops were trained and retrained to apply all of the extant rules that guide warfare.

“I am sure Nigerians are witness to the fact that the Nigerian army has made strides in its operations and whatever we achieve is with the cooperation and support of all Nigerians.

“We have carried out the mandates of the Department of Civil Military Affairs.

“I want to thank the late Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tareed Lagbaja for appointing me and supporting me to ensure that I deliver on my mandate.

“I also want to appreciate our amiable COAS, Lt.-Gen Oluyede, who has continued to support the department and ensured that we deliver on all our tasks and finds me worthy of commanding the Corps of Signals of the Nigerian Army,” he said.

Ugbo also thanked all Nigerians for supporting the Nigerian army in its constitutional responsibilities and the civil society, governmental and non-governmental organisations, ministries, departments and agencies of government and international bodies collaborating with them.

He also commended the media and called for sustained collaboration and support for the army to continue fulfilling its responsibilities.

He appreciated the department’s officers and soldiers for doing their best to ensure that they extended similar cooperation and support to his successor.