The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, says the Nigerian army is undergoing vigorous and rare operational, administrative and structural transformation to shore up its capabilities in confronting emerging security challenges.

Army spokesman Onyema Nwachukwu, in a statement on Wednesday, said Mr Lagbaja stated this while addressing troops of the 2 Division on Wednesday in Ibadan.

Since his assumption of command, the military chief said the army had continued to receive the federal government’s support in the form of logistics, combat enablers and welfare support schemes to motivate troops for optimal operational efficiency.

Mr Lagbaja listed the interventions received from the government, including clearing the backlog of Group Life Insurance scheme payment to Next of Kins of deceased personnel and implementation of the army Accident Insurance scheme.

They also include sponsorship cum scholarships for children and wards of personnel, who paid the supreme price, free welfare flights for troops in the front line and medical evacuation of personnel wounded in action for treatment, both overseas and locally.

Mr Lagbaja added that the government had also approved the operationalisation of Nigerian Army Aviation with the recent procurement of 12 MD Cayuse helicopters.

Mr Lagbaja charged the troops to reciprocate the federal government’s support by remaining loyal to the Nigerian Constitution and the government.

The army chief lauded the troops for continuing to neutralise security threats and upholding the integrity of their area of responsibility, thereby enabling peace and harmony in the South-West. He assured them that the challenges confronting the Division would receive appropriate attention, adding that troops’ welfare was paramount on his agenda.

(NAN)