The Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, has expressed serious concerns over the increasing incidence of drug abuse among soldiers deployed in operational theatres.
He made these remarks while opening a one-day seminar on “Optimising Warrior Ethos in the Nigerian Army: A Panacea for Operational Effectiveness” in Sokoto, organized by the Department of Army Transformation and Innovation.
Represented by the acting General Officer Commanding Brig. Gen. Ibikunle Ajose, 8 Division, Lagbaja emphasized the importance of addressing drug abuse to enhance combat effectiveness. He assured troops involved in Operation Hadarin Daji of ongoing support in logistics and operational guidance.
“This seminar is crucial for improving the capacity of Nigerian Army personnel and fostering a battle-winning mentality,” he stated. “It will also address the threats posed by chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear terrorism in Nigeria.”
Lagbaja urged commanders at all levels to adopt innovative strategies for managing personnel and enhancing battle readiness, in line with his command philosophy. He commended the Department of Army Innovation and Transformation for organizing the seminar, highlighting its role in raising operational and situational awareness among troops.
The Chief of Transformation and Innovation Maj. Gen. Zakari Abubakar, reassured Lagbaja of the department’s commitment to enhancing leadership capacity among junior and middle-class officers while tackling the challenges of drug and substance abuse within the ranks.
“This seminar aims to optimize our leadership and reinforce warrior ethos among troops,” Abubakar concluded, stressing the importance of this initiative for operational effectiveness.
