The recent rumoured death of General Taoreed Lagbaja, Chief of Army Staff, COAS, is to say the least done in bad fate.
The condemnable death rumour came at a time Lagbaja is supposed to be getting accolades for his visible successes in the fight against insecurity.
It is equally worrisome and condemnable to wish him dead. Such inhumane rumour mongering about a figure that should be celebrated is uncalled for.
In any case there are official communication channels that Nigerians should get information from as it concerns the COAS. So, peddling rumour about the health of the nation’s Chief of Army Staff serves no positive motive.
However, it is important as a nation to cast our minds back on the successes of the army under Lagbaja against terrorists, bandits and other criminal gangs that may have turned the once peaceful parts of Nigeria into dreaded zones as they perpetrate their heinous activities which include killings, kidnappings as well as pillage.
The challenge of insecurity has lingered for over a decade and successive administrations have made efforts to tackle the menace of insecurity headlong.
However, insecurity still persists but there is a ray of hope as the Nigerian Army under the leadership of General Taoreed Lagbaja, Chief of Army Staff, COAS, has been repositioned to defeat terrorists, bandits as well as other criminal elements that have made insecurity an unwanted companion across the country.
Interestingly, Lagbaja has the war chest to root out insecurity in the country as an accomplished Super General that has participated in Operation HARMONY IV in Bakassi Peninsula, United Nations Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Operation ZAKI Internal Security Operation in Benue State, Operation Lafiya Dole, Operation MESA/Operation UDO KA – March 2021 – August 2022 internal security operation in the South East, etc.
His appointment by President Bola Tinubu as the 23 COAS was greeted with excitement across board owing to his shinning antecedents of success.
The COAS’ push against insecurity in the last one year has resulted in the elimination of top terrorists (ISWAP/Boko Haram) leaders and their foot soldiers.
The blow being delt on criminal cells responsible for the over a decade long insecurity in the country is also resulting in the elimination of bandits and their leaders especially in the North-west.
The feats being recorded by the Nigerian Army under the leadership of Lagbaja is the outcome of the ongoing transformation of troops into a well-trained, equipped and highly motivated force towards achieving the constitutional responsibilities within a joint environment.
In this vein, the COAS mapped out an operational philosophy that rests on three cardinal pillars: “leadership, operational effectiveness, and sound administration”.
Judging from the aforementioned the army is in no small way building on past achievements in the fight against insecurity in the country through collaboration with sister agencies and other stakeholders.
Besides, under the watch of Lagbaja, the army has purchased over 200 gun trucks, thousands of personal protective equipment, over 100 mines resistant ambush protected vehicles, among other sophisticated equipment awaiting delivery.
The army has purchased aircraft for logistics, surveillance, training and casualty evacuation, among others.
In one year, Lagbaja achieved the army’s desire to have an aviation wing which dates back to 1984, among other feats.
Amid pockets of security challenges nationwide, the COAS has proved his worth as a no non-sense soldier who walks his talk and deserves all the support necessary for him to succeed in the ongoing fight against insecurity as well as other forms of criminalities bedeviling the nation.
Therefore, we commend his steadfastness to change the narrative in the security sector for good.
We also condemn the rumour mongering trailing his absence and urge all and sundry to toe the line of the Nigerian Army which has explained that the COAS is on a well-deserved leave and we should pray for his return to continue his good works.
