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Worried by the security challenges besetting the nation, the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Maj-Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, has tasked troops “to compliment (sic) their military effort with prayers for the success of the Nigerian Army in its operational engagements and the corporate existence of Nigeria, as one indivisible entity amidst contemporary security challenges bedeviling the nation.”
A statement, yesterday, by the Director of Army Public Relations (DAPR), Brig-Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu, quoted the COAS as giving the directive at the Interdenominational Church Service marking the Nigerian Army Day Celebration (NADCEL) 2023 held at the Mogadishu Military Cantonment, Abuja.
“As we mark our 160th year, I must confess that our journey has not been a bed of roses, as the Nigerian Army, in the course of holding our nation together, has fought a civil war, participated in peacekeeping cum peace enforcement missions and is currently involved in combating terrorism, insurgency and other criminalities across the country.
“We have bled, we have piled up the wounded in action, and the population of our widows and widowers as well as orphans has swelled. “Our sacrifices are for the love of God, human- ity and country,” Lagbaja was quoted as saying.
Meanwhile, China’s warship, MSL Destroyer NANNING has arrived Lagos on a diplomatic visit to Nigeria. The Chinese vessel was received by officials of the Western Naval Command led by Flag Officer Commanding (FOC), Rear Admiral Joseph Akpan.
The Nigerian government is yet to give an official statement regarding the arrival of the war- ship. In 2014 several Chinese naval vessels arrived in Nigeria for a friendship visit, where they conducted training exercises with the Nigerian Navy.
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