The Nigerian Army and the Prayer and Support for the Nigerian Armed Forces and other security agencies have called for sustained efforts to tackle insecurity in the country.
The call was made during the second memorial service of the late former Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja, held at the Maria Lagbaja Event Centre, TA Lagbaja Cantonment, Ikeja, Lagos.
At the ceremony, the organisers also urged Nigerians to continue supporting serving military personnel and families of soldiers who died in the line of duty.
Palliatives were distributed to widows of fallen soldiers as part of activities to honour their sacrifices.
Speaking on behalf of the General Officer Commanding, 81 Division, Major General Adebayo Babalola, the Commander, 81 Division Garrison, Brigadier General Ahmed Getso, described Lagbaja as a distinguished soldier and patriot whose career was marked by courage, professionalism and dedication to national service.
Babalola recalled that Lagbaja was admitted into the Nigerian Defence Academy as a member of the 39th Regular Course in 1987 and commissioned into the Nigerian Army Infantry Corps in 1992.
He said the late Army Chief served in several command, staff and instructional positions before his appointment as Chief of Army Staff in June 2023.
According to him, Lagbaja worked to strengthen the Army’s operational capabilities, improve professionalism and troop welfare, as well as sustain military operations against insecurity.
Also speaking, the Commander, 9 Brigade, Brigadier General Ayokunle Owolabi, said the memorial provided an opportunity for serving military personnel to reflect on Lagbaja’s contributions to the Nigerian Army and uphold the values he represented.
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Owolabi recalled the late general’s involvement in several internal security operations, including Operations Zaki, Lafiya Dole, Udoka and Forest Sanity, noting that his assignments were part of efforts to restore peace in troubled parts of the country.
He urged soldiers to uphold discipline, professionalism, operational readiness, loyalty and selfless service in the discharge of their duties.
The brigade commander also stressed the need for sustained support for families of fallen soldiers, noting that the sacrifices made by military personnel should not be forgotten.
He said families of deceased soldiers deserved continued prayers, compassion and support in recognition of the sacrifices they made for the country.
