“Those That Want To Truncate Civil Rule Have Not Experienced Military Regime – COAS, Lagbaja

By Ayodele Oni

The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt. General Taoreed Lagbaja, has observed that those calling on the military to take over governance in Nigeria have never experienced undemocratic government.

The COAS re affirmed that the Nigerian Army will resist all calls for undemocratic intervention in governance by the Armed Forces of Nigeria.

He declared that “Thanks, But No Thanks” the Nigerian Army will not allow itself to be use to undemocratically sail some interests to power and not poised to lose the new prestige it has painstakingly built in the past 25 years.”

General Lagbaja stated this during his opening remarks at the opening ceremony of the Chief of Army Staff combined second and third quarters conference 2024, on Tuesday,  at Akwa Ibom State Council of Chiefs Hall, Uyo.

General Lagbaja while reacting to pertinent issue that came up during the recent August 1–10 End Bad Governance Protest said the call was coming from young Nigerians who never experienced the Nigeria extensive military rule and the converted struggles by heroes and heroines of the current democratic dispensation to get the nation on its current part.

“As the Service that received the most image bashing as a fallout of previous military interventions in Nigeria, the Nigerian Army remains secure, and united.

“The Nigerian Army remains resolute in sustaining the ongoing efforts to ensure maximum revenue accrues to the Federal Government for the benefit of the generality of Nigerians.”

He noted that since the Nigerian Army’s senior hierarchy last met in April for the First Quarter Conference, the country has witnessed a new set of security challenges.

“Aside from the known threats of terrorism, insurgency, banditry, illegal mining, and farmer/herder crises, the recent protests in the Country, which were primarily driven by discontent over economic issues and government policies, resulted in significant unrest and, in some cases, violence.

“This situation reminded us that, as an Armed Force, we must not only focus on physical security and defence of the nation, but that food and social security issues can snowball into physical security challenges.

“Aside from the known threats of terrorism, insurgency, banditry, illegal mining, and farmer/herder crises, the recent protests in the Country, which were primarily driven by discontent over economic issues and government policies, resulted in significant unrest and, in some cases, violence.

“This situation reminded us that, as an Armed Force, we must not only focus on physical security and defence of the nation but that food and social security issues can snowball into physical security challenges.

“The protest that was held between 1 and 10 August this year was largely driven by provocative and inciting social media traffic. Although it was professionally managed by the Nigeria Police Force supported by the military and other security agencies. The challenge that it posed is a pointer to the fact that the military must always remain professional.

“It is obvious that some of the protest organisers hold contrary opinions from the government on how the security forces managed the situation.

“However, I believe it was carefully handled, and I commend our commanders and troops for conducting themselves in the most professional manner as they worked with the Nigeria Police and civil authorities to effectively control the situation.”. He continued.

Lt. Lagbaja, however, expressed deep sadness over the loss of lives and the destruction of public facilities, as well as looting witnessed in some states.

He mentioned that investigations are instituted into the actions of both the protesters and security forces, even as he condoled with the families and loved ones of those who tragically lost their lives during the protests.

He stressed that as a creation of the Nigerian Constitution, the Nigerian Army recognizes citizens’ right to air their grievances but believes such should only occur within the confines of the law.

“Evidently, the situation that led to the protest seems to have settled, but the Nigerian Army understands that the issue of food security will remain on the front burner of our national security policy and discussions for a while.”