The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja, embarked on a working tour of the 17 Brigade Area of Responsibility.
The visit, which took place on Friday, 6th September 2024, was designed to assess the ongoing efforts in combating terrorism and to reinvigorate the military’s operational capacity in the region.
Upon his arrival at the Headquarters of the 17 Brigade in Katsina, General Lagbaja was accompanied by a team of principal staff officers from the Army Headquarters.
He was promptly briefed on the security situation and the operational disposition of the Brigade by its Commander, Brigadier General Babatunde Omopariola.
According to a statement released by the Director of Army Public Relations, Major General Onyema Nwachukwu, the COAS addressed the troops during his visit.
He emphasized that his Command Philosophy focuses on providing efficient leadership, sound administration, and operational effectiveness.
In line with this, the Nigerian Army (NA) has introduced several welfare initiatives aimed at boosting the morale of the troops by progressively improving the living standards and conditions of personnel and their families.
General Lagbaja highlighted that one of the key measures taken to achieve these goals was the commencement of the payment of the backlog of the Group Life Assurance scheme, which had been pending since 2017.
Additionally, the Personnel Accident Insurance Scheme has been introduced to benefit Nigerian Army personnel and their families.
The COAS also mentioned the Affordable Housing Options for All Soldiers (AHOOAS) post-service housing scheme, which offers highly subsidized residential accommodation to personnel after their service.
Alongside this initiative, the Nigerian Army is currently undertaking large-scale rehabilitation of medical facilities, barracks, and infrastructure across its formations and units nationwide.
Moreover, General Lagbaja disclosed that the Nigerian Army has launched the COAS Loan Schemes, aimed at economically empowering both military personnel and their families.
These welfare programs, according to him, are in addition to the provision of various combat enablers that enhance the troops’ operational efficiency in counter-terrorism missions.
During his address, General Lagbaja urged the troops to tackle the security challenges in the region head-on by actively pursuing insurgents in their hideouts. He emphasized the need for unwavering commitment and diligence in securing the area.
As part of his visit, General Lagbaja took time to visit sick soldiers and their families at the 17 Brigade Medical Centre.
During his visit, he issued an immediate directive for the installation of essential medical equipment at the center to enhance the quality of care provided to the soldiers and their families.
In a solemn ceremony, the COAS laid a wreath at the 17 Brigade Headquarters Cenotaph in honor of the troops who made the ultimate sacrifice in the fight against terrorism and banditry.
In a related development, the Governor of Katsina State, Dr. Dikko Umar Radda, expressed his satisfaction with the progressive improvement in security across the state.
He noted that the situation has led to the return of farmers to their farmlands, a significant development for the state’s agricultural sector.
The Governor made these remarks during the COAS’s courtesy and condolence visit to the Katsina State Government House.
He attributed the positive change to the synergy and joint efforts of all security agencies operating in the state.
Furthermore, Governor Radda called on local communities to continue supporting the troops with credible information, stressing that the success of ongoing operations heavily relies on the cooperation of the people.
During his assessment tour, General Lagbaja reaffirmed that his visit was to evaluate the state of ongoing military operations, infrastructure, and Civil-Military Cooperation activities within the Brigade.
He also expressed his deep appreciation to the Government and people of Katsina State for their unwavering support to the Nigerian Army, particularly the troops of the 17 Brigade.
In addition to meeting with the state’s leadership, the COAS paid a courtesy visit to His Royal Highness, Alhaji Dr. Abdulmumuni Kabir Usman, the Emir of Katsina.
During the visit, General Lagbaja acknowledged the critical role of traditional institutions in mobilizing local support for the troops, which is crucial for eradicating security threats and challenges in the region.
While in Katsina, General Lagbaja also paid a condolence visit to the family of the late Hajiya Dada Yar’Adua, describing her passing as the loss of a legendary and virtuous matriarch of the Nigerian Army family.
He extended his condolences to Senator Abdulazeez Yar’Adua, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Army, and other members of the bereaved family.
General Lagbaja emphasized that the Nigerian Army shares in the grief of the Yar’Adua family, which has produced two illustrious sons who served the nation with distinction.
He prayed for God to grant the family and the people of Katsina State the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.
The COAS’s tour of the 17 Brigade represents a renewed commitment to ensuring the Nigerian Army’s welfare, operational readiness, and engagement with local communities to ensure lasting peace and security in the region.
