Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja, has dismissed insinuations that the establishment of Army Aviation and purchase of aircraft for the wing amounts to competition with the Nigerian Air Force (NAF).
The COAS also stated that that “Nigerian Army is the People’s Army,” imploring Nigerians to cooperate with the troops in their areas of deployment.
According to him: “I want to appeal to the media that Nigerian Army is the People’s Army. Troops are working in harsh environments and we need their (media) cooperation. And we need your support. Nigerian Army is the People’s Army.”
Lagbaja, who spoke in Jos at the weekend at the 161 years anniversary and Nigerian Army Day Celebration (NADCEL), said acquiring the two aircraft for Army Aviation is very crucial for its combat operations.
He explained on why the Army went for non-combat aircraft and not combat one, adding that the Army has been training personnel in aviation industry and its Aviation wing is the best in West Africa.
Lagbaja, who noted that it is better to start from non-combat aviation and then scale up, said that since they have already trained pilots, it is better to keep them busy.
Stating that the Army has just taken the battle to the doorsteps of Boko Haram terrorists in the North East region, the COAS pointed out that the terrorists prepared over 50 female suicide bombers in Gwoza but three succeeded in detonating the bombs.
Lagbaja advised the civil populace to be vigilant and help the troops to prevent suicide bombers from infiltrating in the civil communities as the female suicide bombers always mix with the communities in civilian attires.
He implored the civil communities to take responsibilities for whatever happens because the terrorists cannot succeed without internal support, also urging society to be patriotic enough to expose the insurgents
According to General Lagbaja, troops are deployed in almost all the States of the federation and Federal Capital Territory (FCT) except Osun, said that the Army’s rules of engagement are being strictly adhered to as they are warned to be careful as the military is holding them accountable for their actions.
On human rights, he said that the Nigeria Army is held high in protecting the lives of civilians as “we train our troops to keep and protect human rights. Anyone found violating human rights will be brought to justice, as Nigerians are free to report any misdeeds by the soldiers (troops).”
He added that troops on deployment do not target the civilians as they are guided by the rules of engagement wherein they are expected to avoid collateral damage, adding that when troops cannot identify real culprits, they leave.