The Nigeria Army has said the military cannot be used to serve any interest group in a bid to thwart the present civil rule, instead it is ever ready to defend and protect the nation and its constitution as stipulated by law.
Delivering his remarks during the opening ceremony of a five-day Chief of Army Staff (COAS) combined second and third quarters’ conference 2024 in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital, yesterday, the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General T A Lagbaja, observed that the last protest by Nigerians was driven by hunger and encouraged by provocative and inciting social media traffic.
He said apart from the known threats of terrorism, banditry, illegal mining and farmer/herder crises, the recent protest was primarily driven by discontent over the economic issues and the government’s policies, which resulted in unrest and outright violence in some cases.
Lagbaja said the situation reminded the military that as an armed force, it must not only focus on physical security and defence of the nation, but that food and social security issues could snowball into physical security challenges.
“Although it was professionally managed by the Nigeria Police Force, supported by the military and other security agencies, the challenge that it posed is a pointer to the fact that the military must always remain professional.
“It is obvious that some of the protest organisers hold contrary opinions from the government on how the security forces managed the situation.
“However, I believe it was carefully handled, and I commend our commanders and troops for conducting themselves in the most professional manner as they worked with the Nigeria Police and civil authorities to effectively control the situation.”
The army chief explained that though the situation was professionally handled, he was deeply saddened by the loss of lives and the destruction of public facilities and looting as witnessed in some states.
“As investigations are instituted into the actions of both the protesters and security forces, I join other well-meaning Nigerians to condole with the families and loved ones of those who tragically lost their lives during the protests,” he stated.
He said as a creation of the Nigerian Constitution, the Nigerian Army recognises the citizens’ right to air their grievances, but believes that such should only occur within the confines of the law.
He disclosed that though the situation that led to the protest seems to have settled, the Nigerian Army understands that the issue of food security would remain on the front burner of Nigeria’s national security policy and discussions.
“As a way of strengthening its soft power approach to resolving Nigeria’s food security challenge, the Nigerian Army will, in the coming days, review its agricultural policy to better position the Nigerian Army Farms and Ranches Limited to significantly boost crop production, so that the Army can release grains into the market at highly subsidised rates in support of the government’s efforts.
He said the army headquarters was reviewing some proposals for partnerships with Ministries, Departments, and Agencies of government and reputable private organisations on how best to collaborate to resolve the food crisis in the country.
“Relatedly, Nigerian Army troops currently provide security cover for farmers in critical farming communities in the North East, North West, and North Central zones.
“This is with a view to preventing the devastating consequences of a pause or stop in food production in those regions on the entire country’s food supply chain.”
The Chief of Army Staff noted that there was a call for undemocratic intervention in governance by the Armed Forces of Nigeria during the protest, adding that the Nigeria Army cannot subscribe to group interests in the affairs of the nation.
“Although one can say this was coming from young Nigerians who never experienced the era of Nigeria’s extensive military rule and the concerted struggle by heroes and heroines of our current democratic dispensation to get the nation on its current path, as Chief of Army Staff, my simple response to the call is, ‘Thanks, but no thanks,’
“The Nigerian Army will not allow itself to be used to undemocratically sail some interests to power.
“As the Service that received the most image bashing as a fallout of previous military interventions in Nigeria, the Nigerian Army is not poised to lose the new prestige it has painstakingly built in the past 25 years, secure and united.
“The Nigerian Army remains resolute in sustaining the ongoing efforts to ensure maximum revenue that accrues to the Federal Government for the benefit of the generality of Nigerians.”
He said the emerging security challenges that recently bedevilled the nation was the reason for the conference in Akwa Ibom to brainstorm on how to tackle them in the days ahead.
He, therefore, appreciated the Akwa Ibom State Governor for the peaceful ambience and disposition in the state.
Responding, Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, who was the special guest of honour at the opening session of the conference thanked the Federal Government for the establishment of 2nd Brigade Command in the state, adding that such development has contributed to the peace and security experienced in the state.
Gov Eno said his administration had created the Ministry of Internal Security headed by an experienced General Koko Essien, and therefore, sought for collaboration between the state operating security and the military to check security issues in the state.
“I will soon set up a food security and safety committee that will be headed by professionals in the agricultural sector to be able to interact with farmers directly and ensure that we get our people back to farm, form cooperatives and begin to enjoy the food value chain,” he said.
@The Sun