The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja has affirmed that troops of the Nigerian Army(NA) under his watch will continue to respond with force to protect the law abiding citizens from terrorism, insurgency and sundry criminality in the country.

He made this known during a brief corridor interview with the press, shortly after he declared closed, a 5-Day Commanding Officers' Workshop held at Port Harcourt Barracks, in the Rivers State capital. The workshop with the theme “Enhancing Tactical Level Command and Leadership within a Joint Environment", was aimed at equipping Commanding officers with requisite skills and competencies to enhance their performance in the increasingly complex security environment.

The Army Chief further reiterated that the NA will continue to respond to all security threats in accordance with the stipulations of the constitution, code of conduct and the rules of engagement, to ensure that innocent Nigerians are protected and go about their lawful businesses without fear or intimidation.

 General Lagbaja averred that Commanding officers (COs) are key in the implementation of his command philosophy, “To Transform the Nigerian Army into a Well-trained, equipped and highly motivated force towards achieving our constitutional responsibilities within a joint environment", adding that no investment in training them to understand their contemporary command environment, characterized by technological advancements, social media culture, high population rate and its associated unemployment, amongst others, with their security imperatives can be considered too much".

The COAS charged the COs to be in tune with their operating environment and develop a realistic vision, despite some organisational differences, pointing out, that they must cultivate synergy across the gamut of security stakeholders in their operating environment by constantly engaging with key leaders across the divides, without compromising basic military ethics.

"The impact of the social media on your command is enormous, and you must avoid the negative influence of this new reality on your command. You must be mindful of the character of the generation coming into the NA and be ingenious in administering them in line with laid down administrative policies and regulations," he admonished. He encouraged them to keep abreast with technological developments, utilize readily available resources, and strengthen Information and Communication Technology training in their units.

Continuing, he charged them to implement the 2024 Training Directive and devote attention to enhancing realistic training, which he maintained is one of the key measures of effective training.

He commended the Chief of Training (Army), Major General Sani Mohammed for initiating the workshop, as well as the GOC, 6 Division, Major General Jamal Abdussalam for his support towards the successful planning and hosting of the workshop. He assured them that all the key recommendations and ideas emanating from the workshop will be given due consideration.

During the visit, the COAS commissioned various projects conceived and executed by the GOC, 6 Division. Some of the projects include a Block of 10 family flats of Coporal Below Quarters, 6 Division Python Shopping Mall, and 1. 4 Kilometers Road linking 26 Support Engineer Regiment Headquarters. He also performed the foundation laying ceremony for the construction of a block of 6 flats of officers' transit accommodation and concluded his tour with planting of trees and inspection of ongoing projects in Port Harcourt Barracks.