COAS reiterates the need to tackle insecurity with both kinetic, non- kinetic solutions

The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja, has called on the people of Angbasa in Lavun Local Government Area, Niger State, to work collaboratively with the Nigerian Army and other security agencies to ensure a secure environment that will enable socio-economic activities to flourish. Lt Gen Lagbaja made this appeal during the commissioning of the Chief of Army Staff’s Special Intervention Civil-Military Cooperation Projects in Angbasa.

Represented by Major General Kevin Aligbe, Commander of the Training and Doctrine Command Nigerian Army (TRADOC NA), the COAS emphasized the importance of security in fostering development and highlighted the Nigerian Army’s dedication to ensuring safety in its operational areas. The intervention projects in Angbasa included the renovation of a five-classroom block, the construction of a new three-classroom block, and the installation of a borehole at the Angbasa Nursery and Primary School.

Lt Gen Lagbaja reaffirmed the Army’s commitment to tackling the country’s security challenges using both kinetic and non-kinetic approaches, and to enhancing the well-being of communities within its operational reach. He explained that the Special Intervention Projects Scheme was created to support communities where senior officers of the Nigerian Army, who have risen to the rank of Major General, originate from, as a way of giving back.

The COAS took the opportunity to commend Major General Musa Etsu-Ndagi, the Deputy Chief of Training (Army), for spearheading the development initiatives in his hometown of Angbasa. He also expressed gratitude to the people of Lavun Local Government and Niger State for their continuous support of the Nigerian Army and urged them to continue collaborating with security agencies to combat crime and insecurity.

In his welcome address, Major General Etsu-Ndagi expressed his appreciation to the COAS for approving the necessary funding to facilitate the projects. He explained that the agrarian people of Angbasa had embraced education but faced challenges, such as the poor state of school buildings and inadequate sanitary facilities, which contributed to school dropouts. He noted that these newly completed projects would reverse that trend and promote better educational outcomes for the community’s children.

Major General Nosa Ugbo, Chief of Civil-Military Affairs (CCMA) Nigerian Army, represented by Brigadier General Bemgba Koughna, highlighted the tremendous support the Nigerian Army has received from the people of Niger State. He remarked that this cooperation has been vital to the Army’s operational successes in the state and across the North Central Region. Maj Gen Ugbo reiterated the importance of maintaining and strengthening the collaboration between the Army and local communities to effectively counter threats to national security.

Delivering the vote of thanks on behalf of the Chairman of Lavun Local Government Area, Hon. Isa Kutigi, the Education Secretary of Lavun LGA, Alhaji Jibrin Alhassan, expressed deep gratitude to the COAS for providing the Special Intervention Projects to Angbasa. He remarked that the newly completed facilities would greatly enhance the quality of education for the children of Lavun LGA and have a positive impact on future generations