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Lt. General Lagbaja delivered a speech during the Passing Out Parade of officers of Executive Commission Course One at the Army School of Infantry in Jaji, Kaduna State on Saturday.
In his address, he underscored the importance of a thriving, uninterrupted constitutional democratic governance that upholds national values and caters to the interests of every well-meaning Nigerian, regardless of their ethnic or religious background. The Director of Army Public Relations, Brigadier General Onyema Nwachukwu, made this statement in a press release.
He is assuring of the unwavering loyalty and unwavering commitment of officers and soldiers of the Nigerian Army to resolutely defend the nation’s territorial integrity and ensure internal security against non-state actors such as Boko Haram terrorists, bandits, Indigenous People of Biafra (POB), and other criminal elements.
The COAS, however, strongly warned that the activities of Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province terrorist groups in the North East, kidnappings, and banditry in the North West and North Central, as well as secessionist agitations by IPOB in the South East, pose a grave threat to the nation’s cherished corporate existence and national security. These challenges must be immediately and decisively addressed to prevent any further escalation.
According to the Army chief, the graduating officers must now prepare themselves for the demanding task that lies ahead. He emphasized that many of them will be deployed to critical battlefields where their services are of utmost importance in overcoming various security threats.
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS) is also emphasizing the importance of avoiding any form of insubordination and remaining politically neutral while fulfilling their constitutional duties of safeguarding the nation.
“I, therefore, urge all Nigerian Army personnel to be proud champions of our thriving democracy and maintain a non-political stance while carrying out their constitutional duties,” added the COAS.
The 239 Passing Out Cadets consist of 12 female cadets and 228 male cadets.
