Speaking through Major General Bamidele Alabi, the General Officer Commanding 2 Division, Nigerian Army, he made these remarks during the Nigerian Army (NA) Civil-Military Cooperation (CIMIC) quarterly media chat, which took place in Agodi Ibadan.

The event, titled “Leveraging Media to Enhance Nigeria’s Internal Security Operations,” was attended by notable figures, including Major General Nosakhare Ugbo, Chief of Civil-Military Affairs (Army), Major General Bamidele Omozoje (Rtd), Major General Chris Olukolade (Rtd), as well as media managers and journalists representing various media outlets.

Lagbaja stressed the necessity of fostering a healthy military-media relationship, which he believed would help create a positive perception and sustain popular support for the Army’s counter-terrorism and security operations.

He recognized the media as a critical partner in the Army’s non-kinetic aspects of operations aimed at safeguarding the nation.

The Chief of Army Staff also noted that the media chat was part of civil-military cooperation activities designed to keep the media well-informed, dispel rumors, and provide accurate and timely information, as the media plays a crucial role in nation-building.

Under his leadership, Lagbaja stated that the Nigerian Army has adopted a multi-dimensional approach that requires collaboration from all stakeholders, particularly the media, in addressing the country’s security challenges.

He reassured the nation of the unwavering loyalty of Nigerian Army officers and soldiers to the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces and the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Lagbaja concluded by expressing his appreciation for the dedication and service of the Nigerian Army’s officers and soldiers in safeguarding the country.

He highlighted the changing security landscape in Nigeria, where the Nigerian Army is engaged in countering terrorists, insurgents, and criminals across the nation, making a strong military-media partnership essential for success.

Lt. Gen. Lagbaja conveyed this commitment during a meeting with Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairman/CEO of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), and the commission’s top management team at the Army Headquarters in Abuja.

In a statement by NIDCOM’s spokesperson, Abdur-Rahman Balogun, Lt. Gen. Lagbaja emphasized the Army’s readiness to collaborate with the commission’s efforts in encouraging skilled Nigerians in the diaspora to return home and contribute to the development of various sectors in the country.

Recognizing that Nigeria boasts highly talented doctors in the UK, US, Canada, and South Africa, Lt. Gen. Lagbaja stated that the Nigerian Army, under his leadership, would be eager to employ these doctors upon their return.

This move is aimed at curbing the challenge of brain drain and utilizing the expertise of skilled professionals for the nation’s benefit.

Lt. Gen. Lagbaja expressed his pride in the achievements of the Nigerian military abroad, highlighting their excellence in fulfilling various military assignments and bringing honor to the country.

He also revealed his willingness to collaborate with NIDCOM to enhance the visibility of the Army and foster a greater appreciation among Nigerians for their dedication to safeguarding the nation against both internal and external threats.

Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, in turn, commended Lt. Gen. Lagbaja for his professionalism and the positive image he has cultivated for the Army since assuming office.

She highlighted the commission’s eagerness to partner with the Nigerian Army in recognizing and celebrating their vital contributions to humanity and national security.

While presenting the commission’s activities and potential areas of collaboration, Dabiri-Erewa encouraged Lt. Gen. Lagbaja and the Army to continue their dedicated service, emphasizing that Nigerians truly value their sacrifices.

After participating in the Eid al-Adha prayer in Lagos, the former Speaker of the House of Representatives conveyed his belief that the burden of Nigeria’s challenges cannot be shouldered by a regular human being without the help of Almighty God.

Gbajabiamila expressed his conviction that God is supporting President Tinubu, enabling him to carry the weight of the nation.

While acknowledging that Nigeria is going through a difficult period, he remained optimistic about the country’s ability to overcome its present circumstances. He urged Nigerians to continually pray for Tinubu.

Acknowledging that divine blessings played a pivotal role in Tinubu’s electoral success, Gbajabiamila asserted that without God’s benevolence, Tinubu would not have attained his current position.

He referred to the election and its outcome, emphasizing that it was a testament to the divine favor bestowed upon Tinubu.

The court also ordered the arrest of Commandant Training and Doctrine Command, Minna, Major General Olugbenga Olabanji for a similar offense.

The presiding judge, Justice Halima Abdulmalik said the order followed upon hearing on the motion on notice brought before the court in pursuant of order forty-two rule ten of the Niger State High Court Civil procedure 2018, Channels TV reports.

Justice Abdulmalik ruled that the order is commuting Yahaya and Olabanji to be kept in Minna correctional custody for contentions of order of this court on 12 October, 2022.

According to her, the two suspects are to remain in custody until they purge themselves of the contempt.

Justice Abdulmalik then adjourned the case to December 8 for continuation.

In November, Justice Mobolaji Olajuwon of the Federal High Court, Abuja sentenced the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Usman Baba to three months in prison for disobeying a court order.

Delivering ruling, Justice Olajuwon issued the order following a suit filed by a former police officer, Patrick Okoli who claimed he was unlawfully and compulsorily retired from the Nigeria Police Force.

Also in November, Justice Chizoba Oji of a High Court Abuja convicted the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Abdulrasheed Bawa for contempt and ordered that he should be committed to prison at Kuje Correctional Centre, Abuja.

The judge held that Bawa was in contempt of the order of the court made on November 21, 2018, directing the commission to return to an applicant, his Range Rover and the sum of N40 million.

However, Justice Oji in a subsequent ruling set aside the conviction of Bawa after hearing an application brought by the EFCC chairman.

The COAS made this call when he visited the scene of the  attack few hours after the incident.

Yahaya, who was accompanied by some principal staff officers of the Army Headquarters and the General Officer Commanding 1 Division, on arrival at the scene, assessed the security situation around the general area of the attack and inspected the attacked train, as well as the rail track to evaluate the degree of damage.

He, however assured Nigerians that the troops will be undeterred and vehement in the fight against banditry and other forms of criminality.

The COAS urged members of the surrounding communities and all Nigerians to continue to avail troops with credible information to enhance their operations across the country.

Yahaya observed that the attack reverberates the need for critical stakeholders to review the security of railways across the country in order to achieve the desired security architecture for railway transportation.

He said this, among other policy recommendations if implemented, would help to promote robust and effective civil-military relations with key stakeholders.

Lt Gen Yahaya made the call while delivering a lecture to participants of Senior Executive Course 43 of the National Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS) Kuru.

Director, Army Public Relations, Brigadier General Onyema Nwachukwu, disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday, titled, “The Implementation of the Civil-Military Cooperation Policy of the Nigerian Army and the Conduct of Non-Kinetic Operations in the North-East: Issues, Challenges and Lessons”.

The COAS noted that Army formations are working very hard to develop robust alliances with local communities and the civilian populace to achieve more success in ongoing operations.

He made a case for an improved feedback mechanism between the military and the civilian populace.

According to him, the COAS also suggested the establishment of the National CIMIC Doctrine and Strategy, the establishment of the Inter-Agency Collaboration Manual in support of joint operations, continuous liaison and budgetary support for CIMIC and Quick Impact Projects (QIPS) among others.

“The COAS had a very engaging interactive session with the participants and members of the directing staff of the Institute,” the statement said.

He tasked the officers and soldiers of the 2 Division Nigerian Army, Odogbo, Ibadan to continue to be professional in handling security issues.

Yahya, made this appeal while addressing soldiers in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, during his official visit to the headquarters of the division.

He maintained that the Nigerian Army is well trained and experienced, with over 185 years of existence, and must continue to do things in line with the teaching of the profession.

Yahaya while appreciating the soldiers on their activities in tackling insecurity in the country, urged them to do more for the peace and security of the country.

He maintained that his visit was to interact with the soldiers to have first-hand information on happenings on the ground, saying he would address some of the issues on ground.

“It is not that we don’t know what they are doing, but it is ethic to visit the troops and interact with them and address issues we see on ground”.

The COAS promised to improve the welfare of officers and soldiers while pledging to construct more accommodation and renovate existing ones.