The Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, has cautioned criminal individuals nationwide to stop their illegal activities.
He mentioned that the Nigerian Army is determined to eradicate them at any cost.
Lagbaja addressed the audience at the conclusion of the 2024 Chief of Army Staff Conference in Abuja on Thursday.
He declared, “I want to caution criminal elements in our society that the Nigerian Army is committed to neutralizing them.
“I encourage law-abiding Nigerians to continue supporting the Nigerian Army in our efforts to secure our territory, protect the lives and properties of loyal citizens, and create a conducive environment for good governance and economic prosperity.”
Lagbaja cautioned troops against becoming overly excited about the achievements made so far in combating criminals in the country.
He pointed out that as complete victory has not been attained, it is not yet time for celebration.
Lagbaja stated, “I believe this assembly has once again reminded us that it is premature to celebrate total victory. I am confident that the Nigerian Army has competent and dedicated personnel at all levels to achieve a significant level of success, which can help establish the necessary conditions for good governance and economic prosperity.”
The Army Chief also encouraged his personnel to be brave in the fight against insecurity, emphasizing that any sign of fear on their part would empower the criminals.
Lagbaja remarked, “However, I must emphasize the necessity of always being resourceful and courageous because the adversaries we confront are emboldened by weakness; hence, we cannot afford to display any. As highlighted by the CMI(A) in his briefing, fear is a major currency used by our adversaries, and we must reverse the situation and outmaneuver them using their own tactics.”
PUNCH Online reported that troops have recently intensified their operations, resulting in the demise of numerous criminals, particularly terrorists.
For example, between January and March 2024, over 2,351 terrorists were eliminated.
Out of this total, 11 were terrorist leaders.
