By Onyema Nwachukwu

Chief of Army Staff, COAS, Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja has revealed that the Nigerian Army (NA) is currently undergoing vigorous and rare operational, administrative and structural transformation to shore up its capabilities and efficiency in confronting emerging security challenges.

The COAS made the revelation when he addressed troops today Wednesday 11 October 2023, at the Headquarters 2 Division, Adekunle Fajuyi Cantonment, Ibadan.

General Lagbaja noted further, that since his assumption of command, the Nigerian Army has continued to receive the support of the Federal Government in the form of logistics, combat enablers and welfare support schemes to motivate troops for optimal operational efficiency.

General Lagbaja catalogued the interventions received from the government to include, clearing the backlog of Group Life Insurance scheme payment to Next of Kins of deceased personnel, Implementation of NA Accident Insurance scheme, Sponsorship cum scholarships for children and wards of personnel, who paid the supreme price, free welfare flights for troops in the front line, medical evacuation of personnel wounded in action for treatment, both in overseas and locally, as well as operationalization of Nigerian Army Aviation with the recent procurement of quantity 12 MD Cayuse Helicopters.

He charged the troops to reciprocate the Federal Government’s support by remaining loyal to the Constitution and Government of the Federation. The COAS lauded the troops for continuing to neutralize security threats and upholding the integrity of the Division’s area of responsibility, thereby enabling peace and harmony in North West Nigeria.

He assured them that the challenges confronting the Division will receive appropriate attention, adding that troops’ welfare is paramount in his agenda. He called on the troops not to be left behind in the wave of transformation billowing across the Nigerian Army.

Earlier, the General Officer Commanding, (GOC) 2 Division, Major General Bamidele Alabi had briefed the COAS on the operational, training and administrative activities of the Division, as well as the security situation in the Division’s area of responsibility. He added however, that the situation is relatively calm and stable.

The Army Chief later commissioned newly constructed Headquarters Central Ordnance Depot Administrative office complex in the cantonment.

While inaugurating the office complex, General Lagbaja affirmed that the Central Ordnance Depot will be rejuvenated to provide requisite logistics support to troops in the frontline in the current effort to enhance their operational efficiency. He commended the Commander of the Depot, Brigadier General Yahya Yinusa for the successful completion of the edifice.

The COAS equally embarked on a working tour of 81 Battalion, Letmauck Cantonment, Mokola, Ibadan, where he received a brief on the activities and challenges of the Battalion.

Meanwhile, the Chief of Army Staff, COAS, Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja on 10 October 2023 simultaneously flagged off three training exercises. The exercises are EXERCISE STILL WATERS 3, GOLDEN DAWN 3 and ENDURING PEACE 3 in an effort to ensure the protection of lives and property across the federation, as the year draws to an end.

The Exercises, which are to curb the security challenges in the South South, South East, South West and North Central Nigeria, are to run concurrently in the respective geopolitical zones till the year runs out.

Flagging off the Exercise, General Lagbaja maintained that the exercises are to combat diverse emerging security challenges peculiar to the affected geopolitical zones, in order to mitigate the spiking of such challenges associated with the last quarter of the year. He added, that this is when many Nigerians travel around the country in the spirit of the yuletide thereby necessitating the need for a safe and enabling environment for citizens to go about their lawful businesses without fear or apprehension.

General Lagbaja however charged the troops to carry out their duties diligently within the confines of the law and stipulated codes of conduct. According to the Army Chief, “We should not be a problem to the citizens we are trying to protect”.

In the same vein, the COAS also inaugurated EXERCISE CLEAN SWEEP” at the Ikeja Cantonment Lagos to clear Unexploded Explosive Ordnances at the site of the unfortunate 2002 bomb blast, which occurred then at the Nigerian Army Cantonment located at Maryland, Ikeja, Lagos.

Speaking during the flag off ceremony, the Army Chief revealed that the objective of the exercise is to completely disinfect the epicenter of the Ikeja bomb blast and clear it of all verified and suspected remaining Unexploded Explosive Ordnances lying around the cantonment.

He pointed out that initial clearance operations ensured some degree of safety in the Cantonment and its environ, adding that the recent discovery of some Unexploded Explosive Ordnances at the site of the blast raised the need for the Nigerian Army to carry out a follow-up clearance exercise in the Cantonment and its environ.

Noting that the exercise will be conducted for 61 days, the COAS enjoined members of the public, particularly those in Lagos and Ogun states not to panic on sighting the movement of special military vehicles and hearing the sound of explosion during the conduct of the exercise.

He assured that appropriate safety and security measures have been emplaced to guarantee an accident free exercise. He disclosed further that in compliance with global best practice, all relevant emergency and response agencies, including the Nigeria Police, Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, Federal Road Safety Corps, State Emergency Management Agency and the Medics will work in synergy to ensure successful completion of the exercise.

General Lagbaja expressed appreciation to the Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his unflinching support to the Nigerian Army in pursuit of its constitutional responsibilities. He assured that never again will such unfortunate incident be allowed in Nigerian Army Cantonments.

Present at the occasion were the Executive Governor of Lagos State, Mr Babajide Sanwoolu who was represented by the Chief of Staff, Mr Tayo Ayinde, the Oba of Onigbongbo Kingdom, His Royal Highness, Oba Adeyemi Ajasa, Corps Commanders, Principal Staff Officers of the Army Headquarters, General Officer Commanding 81 Division, Air Officer Commanding Logistics Command, Heads of security agencies in Lagos state, amongst others.

The COAS later paid a courtesy visit to the Oba of Lagos, His Royal Majesty, Oba Rilwan Akiolu and visited Headquarters 192 Battalion, Owode, Ogun state.

Views exclusive rights: ONYEMA NWACHUKWU, Brigadier General, Director Army Public Relations, 10-11, October 2023.

Osazuwa Akonedo

Osazuwa Akonedo is a Nigerian media professional, author, and consultant. His work spans various sectors of communication and literature: Journalism and Media: He is the founder of OsazuwaAkonedo, which focuses on news analysis and commentary. He also provides consultancy services in media and banking. Literature: He is a published playwright and author of Nigerian literature. One of his notable works is the drama titled The End Shall Tell: What Exam Malpractice Can Cause, which addresses educational and social issues in Nigeria. Reporting: He frequently reports on regional news, particularly concerning Edo State and broader Nigerian current affairs. Credit: Google Gemini AI Mode Osazuwa Akonedo is a Nigerian media creator, journalist, and entrepreneur who engages audiences via news reporting, social media content, music, and a mobile application. Professional Background and Company Osazuwa Akonedo is associated with OSAZUWAAKONEDO LIMITED, a company registered in Nigeria that operates in media consultancy and news services  The company is headquartered in Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria, and has been active in publishing news in various formats including text, audio, video, and photos  Social Media and Online Platforms Osazuwa Akonedo maintains a strong online presence on several platforms: TikTok: Shares news updates and reports, for example, covering police operations in Nigeria  YouTube: Operates a channel where he uploads videos on current affairs and news content  Twitter/X: Active under the handle @akonedo_osazuwa, posting updates on events and news  Facebook: Profiles listing his connection to news and media activities can be found on Facebook  Mobile App: Offers a dedicated mobile application for news access through Google Play (Osazuwa Akonedo News App) providing text, video, and photo news formats  News Reporting and Content He produces news content covering national and local stories, including criminal activities, government updates, and investigative reports   His reporting spans multiple formats, making it accessible to a wide audience through online platforms, mobile apps, and social media  Other Contributions In addition to journalism, Osazuwa Akonedo has also ventured into audio releases, such as “Former Justice Minister Abubakar Malami Begs Nigerians For Justice” released on January 25, 2026   He also hosts podcasts documenting significant events, e.g, NDLEA arrests related to historical criminal cases  Summary Osazuwa Akonedo is a multifaceted media professional engaged in journalism, social media content creation, music, and technology via his news app. He utilizes platforms like TikTok, YouTube, Twitter/X, Facebook, and mobile applications to disseminate news and reach audiences both locally and internationally Credit: Azure AI

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