The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja, has urged Nigerians to adopt a whole-of-society approach in order to address the complex conflicts plaguing Nigeria.
Speaking at one of the activities marking the Nigerian Army Day Celebration in Jos, Plateau State, on July 4, 2024, the COAS emphasized that collective efforts are necessary to combat security challenges.
“The Nigerian Army and other security agencies alone cannot solve the security challenges facing our nation,” General Lagbaja stressed. “We need the support and cooperation of all stakeholders to address the root causes of these conflicts and find lasting solutions.”
The COAS highlighted the Nigerian Army’s counter-terrorism and counter-insurgency efforts, noting that the multidimensional and ever-changing nature of the security environment requires continuous review of strategies and tactics. He acknowledged the Army’s commitment to battling contemporary security challenges and pledged their loyalty to the Constitution and Government.
The lecture, “Combating Complex Conflicts in Nigeria: Challenges and Strategies,” was delivered by Lieutenant General Lamidi Adeosun (rtd), who stressed the importance of addressing conflict complexities to promote national security. The guest lecturer emphasized the need for nations to strive to address conflict complexities to promote national security, using the whole-of-society approach.
The event featured an interactive session with erudite resource persons, presentation of awards to winners of the COAS’ maiden literary competition, and the unveiling of the 7th edition of the Nigerian Army Resource Centre (NARC) Journal. Dignitaries in attendance included former Chief of Defence Staff, General Lucky Irabor, representatives of Service Chiefs, former Inspector General of Police, Dr. Solomon Arase, Principal Staff Officers from Defence and Services Headquarters, media executives, serving and retired senior officers, and others.
The COAS’ call for unity and collective effort resonates as Nigeria faces various security challenges. The whole-of-society approach emphasizes the need for collaboration among government agencies, civil society organizations, and individuals to address conflict root causes and promote national security.
