Coup: We’ll Defend Nigeria’s Democracy At All Costs – Army

The Nigerian Army has pledged to champion constitutional democratic government in the interest of well-meaning Nigerians.

Chief of Army Staff, Lt General Taoreed Lagbaja gave the assurance at this year’s first passing out parade for officer cadets of executive commission course held at the Nigerian Army School of Infantry, Jaji, Kaduna State.

General Lagbaja said subordination of the military to constituted authority remains the “most fashionable means” of promoting military professionalism.

He stressed that the Army was poised to defend and strengthen Nigeria’s democracy and would not contribute to undermining, let alone truncating it.

He charged all Army personnel to be “proud champions of a flourishing democracy” and remain apolitical in discharging their constitutional duties.

While congratulating the passing out cadets, the Army Chief charged them to “brace up” for the arduous task of tackling the plethora of threats, such as the activities of insurgents in the North-East, abductions, banditry and kidnappings in the North-West and North-Central regions, as well as secessionist agitations by IPOB and the eastern security network, youth restiveness, crude oil theft and sundry crimes in other parts of the South.

General Lagbaja reiterated the commitment of the Army towards ensuring the security of lives and property, as well as protecting the territorial integrity of Nigeria.

Gen. Lagbaja made the assertions amid the current tension in the country over the military junta in the Niger Republic.

Niger soldiers, had seized power from their democratically elected president, Mohamed Bazoum last week over alleged poor governance.

Credit: FRCN