Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja, Nigeria’s Chief of Army Staff, expressed deep concern over the growing issue of substance abuse among soldiers fighting in various operational theaters. He emphasized the need for urgent attention to address this pressing problem that’s threatening the well-being and effectiveness of the military personnel.
The COAS raised the concern in Sokoto utilized the platform of a one-day seminar on ‘Optimising Warrior Ethos in the Nigerian Army’ to express concerns regarding the increasing incidence of substance abuse among military personnel.”
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), represented by Brigadier General Ibikunle Ajose, acting General Officer Commanding of the 8 Division, expressed optimism that the seminar would tackle the pressing issue of drug abuse among soldiers, as well as other pertinent concerns.
He promised assured troops of Operation Hadarin Daji in Sokoto State of continued support in the provision of needed logistics and guidance for the success of their operations.
He said, “I can assure you of my continuous support to provide the much-needed logistics and guidance required for the execution of your tasks.
“The Nigerian Army has continued to review its tactics, techniques and procedures in order to come up with both kinetic and non-kinetic strategies to defeat these challenges.
“This seminar was, therefore, premised on the need to improve the capacity of the Nigerian Army personnel towards enhancing warrior ethos and the battle-winning mentality.
“It will also highlight the threats of chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear terrorism in Nigeria.
“In addition, the prevailing incidence of drug and substance abuse among troops deployed in theatres of operation has become quite worrisome and necessitates troops’ awareness in a bid to enhance combat effectiveness.”
Lagbaja urged commanders at all levels to continue to come up with innovative ideas to upscale their approaches towards improving man management and battle readiness, which, he said, was in line with his command philosophy for the Nigerian Army.
COAS commended the Department of Army Innovation and Transformation for organising the seminar, which he said would raise necessary operational
and situational awareness of the troops.
“I implore you all to remain innovative and committed. By so doing, you will have helped to raise the standard that the Nigerian Army requires to deliver on its constitutional mandate. This event is, therefore, timely and will avail participants a better understanding of
the key issues to improve on operational effectiveness,” Lagbaja said.
Earlier in his remarks, the Chief of Transformation and Innovation from the Army Headquarters, Maj. Gen. Zakari Abubakar, assured the COAS that the department would continue to direct, engage and not relent in efforts towards the realisation of pillars of the COAS command philosophy.
“The seminar is organised to optimise the leadership capacity of junior and middle-class officers as well as to intensify warrior ethos and check the menace of drug and substance abuse among the troops,” Abubakar said.
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