Army Chief Lagbaja demands that religious endeavors be used in conjunction with military operations

Major General Taoreed Lagbaja, the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), has urged Nigerian Army (NA) soldiers to supplement their military effort with prayers for the Nigerian Army (NA) to be successful in its operational operations.

The Army Chief issued the rallying cry on Sunday at the Mogadishu Military Cantonment in Abuja during the Interdenominational Church Service commemorating the Nigerian Army Day Celebration (NADCEL) 2023.

Remember that on Wednesday, the NA began celebrating its 160th anniversary since 1867, when 18 men who became known as the Glover Hausas of the Royal Navy came together to build the formidable force that it is today.

According to Gen. Lagbaja, the NA continues to be a force to be reckoned with in Africa and throughout the world.

He pointed out that the Interdenominational Church Service is one of a number of events planned for all NA formations and units to celebrate the NA’s founding as a sign of racial unification and unity.

“It also provides the opportunity for prayers and supplications to be made to God Almighty on behalf of the Nigerian Army, the Armed Forces of Nigeria and the nation in general”.

“As we mark our 160th year, I must confess that our journey has not been a bed of roses, as the Nigerian Army, in the course of 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”, the Army Chief averred”, he said.

Gen Lagbaja reiterated that the various engagements of the NA within and outside the shores of Nigeria have resulted in the loss of loved ones and breadwinners.

“We have bled, we have piled up the wounded in action, and the population of our widows and widowers as well as orphans has swelled. Our sacrifices are for the love of God, humanity and country,” he stated.

In the belief that God Almighty will grant the NA and the Nigerian Armed Forces success, he advised every member of the NA to consider the security issues and include them in their prayers.

The COAS tasked all personnel with continuing to make every effort to repay the government’s kindness by being obedient, disciplined, patriotic, and unflappable while they face security challenges in the many theaters of operations.

He promised to devote more time to the welfare and well-being of the troops under his charge.