Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Lt-General Taoreed Lagbaja has said more than 50,000 soldiers are currently involved in several peacekeeping operations across the country.
The army chief said this while speaking at a special luncheon organised for frontline troops of 6 Division of the Nigeria Army, Port Harcourt, Rivers state.
At the moment, the internal security operations where troops are involved are counter-terrorism efforts in the Northeast, kidnapping/banditry in the Northwest and North-central, separatist operations in the South-east and combating oil theft in the South-south.
Lagbaja, who was represented by Major-General Kevin Aligbe, Commander, Training and Doctrine Command, Nigeria Army, said the troops were readily sacrificing their comfort for the peace of the country and its citizens.
He said: “So, it is a fact that over 50,000 of our colleagues will miss wishing their families and loved ones a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year in person this season.
“This is not because they do not want to but because they will be on duty across difficult-to-access towns, villages, and hamlets across the country and beyond.
“They (troops) are duty bound to stand guard while their families and other families rejoice and celebrate together. To these gallant warriors, I say thank you for your sacrifice.”
On what 2024 holds for the troops, he said: “In the coming year, the Nigeria Army expects to take delivery of helicopters and other combat enablers that will see a better security environment develop across the country.
“Also, the Army Headquarters has initiated several welfare projects that will directly impact the lives of soldiers and their families.
“Troops wellbeing is of utmost importance, and we shall continue to work tirelessly to provide personnel with the necessary resources and support to carry out their duties effectively.”
While also disclosing the readiness of the Nigerian Army to return troops home to their families, he said, one of the measures taken for the safe withdrawal from armed conflicts was the engagement of other security agencies to take over their constitutional role from the army.
Lagbaja said: “To this end, we look forward to creating a more stable condition that will allow for a drawdown in the strength of troops deployed on internal security operations across the country.
“We shall endeavour to help build capacity in statutory security agencies to take charge of our internal security effectively.
“Consequently, we hope to recalibrate our efforts towards our primary constitutional duty of ensuring our territorial integrity.”
In his address of welcome, General Officer Commanding 6 Division Nigeria Army Major-General Jamaal Abdussalam said the parley was put in place to appreciate troops for their many sacrifices for their fatherland.
He told the gathering that the criminals that ambushed and shot dead four soldiers in Ahoada local government area of the state would soon be apprehended and made to face the wrath of the law.
Abdussalam said the sacrifices by troops in the ongoing oil theft and illegal bunkering operations in the Niger Delta, had consistently led to oil production increase.
The GOC said: “I assure the Niger Delta people the division shall continue to conduct our operations in line with global best practices and adherence to the fundamental human rights.
“Our troops have been involved in various kinetic and non-kinetic activities that have considerably shaped the operating environment – with their attendant operational hazards.
“Key among the hazards is the loss of precious lives of our dear colleagues and the occasional loss and damage of our equipment.”
In his remarks, Rivers state Governor Siminalayi Fubara lauded the Nigerian Army for their sacrifices.
Represented by his deputy, Prof. Ngozi Ordu, the governor pledged the state government’s backing for security agencies to effectively carry out their duties in the state.
