Oluwatosin Enesi
Maj. Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, the Chief of Army Staff, has called on troops across various theatres of operations to pray in addition to their efforts.
According to him, the spiritual effort was necessary for operational success as well as the peaceful co-existence of the country amidst the raging insecurity.
A statement on Sunday by the Director, Army Public Relations, Brig. Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu, said the Army Chief spoke at the Interdenominational Church Service in Abuja, as part of activities to mark the 2023 Nigerian Army Day Celebration.
The statement quoted the COAS as enjoining troops “to complement their military effort with prayers for the success of the Nigerian Army in its operational engagements and the corporate existence of Nigeria, as one indivisible entity amidst contemporary security challenges bedeviling the nation.”
According to Lagbaja, the Nigerian Army remains the pride of the nation and a force to reckon with in Africa and globally.
He said the Church service provided an opportunity for prayers and supplications to God Almighty on behalf of the Nigerian Army, the Armed Forces of Nigeria and the nation in general.
He said, “As we mark our 160th year, I must confess that our journey has not been a bed of roses. The Nigerian Army, in holding our nation together, has fought a civil war, participated in peacekeeping cum peace enforcement missions and is currently involved in combating terrorism, insurgency and other criminalities across the country.
“We have bled, we have piled up the wounded in action, and the population of widows and widowers and orphans has swelled. Our sacrifices are for God, humanity and our country.”
While praying that God would reward and crown our troops’ efforts with success, Maj. Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, also called on all personnel to “continue to reciprocate government’s gesture by remaining loyal, disciplined, patriotic and undaunting,” as they combat security challenges in the various theatres of operations.
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