Seek dialogue, COAS urges armed groups

The Chief of Army Staff, Lt General Taoreed Lagbaja, has appealed to aggrieved Nigerians who have taken up arms against the state to lay down their weapons and seek dialogue to resolve their grievances. Lagbaja made this appeal on Wednesday shortly after addressing troops at the Nigerian Army Armoured Corps in Bauchi. He said peace […]

The Chief of Army Staff, Lt General Taoreed Lagbaja, has appealed to aggrieved Nigerians who have taken up arms against the state to lay down their weapons and seek dialogue to resolve their grievances.

Lagbaja made this appeal on Wednesday shortly after addressing troops at the Nigerian Army Armoured Corps in Bauchi.

He said peace was essential for economic prosperity and for achieving their demands from the government.

“I appeal to them to drop their arms and explore dialogue and other peaceful means to address their grievances,” he said.

• Strike: FG, ASUU agree on amicable resolution
• Police Affairs minister, IGP pledge to eradicate kidnappers, bandits in Nasarawa

Nigeria is engulfed by insurgency in the North-East, banditry and kidnapping in the North-West, North-Central and South-West; while secessionist’s insurrection and militancy trouble the South-East and South-South respectively.

The COAS also charged troops to maintain discipline, dedication and commitment in their roles.

He stressed that his visit to Bauchi was to interact with the troops, who he described as the backbone of the fighting force and essential to the Nigerian Army’s operations.

“Despite the challenges we face in all theatres, they must remain steadfast until we achieve peace and security in the nation,” he urged.

Lagbaja assured the troops that challenges such as promotions, salary payments, officers’ use of Heritage Bank, and peacekeeping issues raised by them would be resolved soon. He encouraged direct communication with him regarding these issues, emphasising their importance to him and his commitment to addressing them.