Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja, has underscored the importance of addressing Nigeria’s deep-rooted issues of poverty and unemployment, warning that failure to do so could lead to long-term instability and insecurity.
According to The PUNCH, this was the crux of his message during the inaugural strategic personality lecture organized by the Institute of Peace and Strategic Studies at the University of Ibadan, held on Friday.
In his speech, which was delivered by Major-General Obinna Onubogu the General Officer Commanding the 2-Division of the Nigerian Army, Lagbaja noted that poverty and unemployment are significant drivers of insecurity in Nigeria.
He highlighted that these socio-economic challenges create fertile ground for recruitment by criminals and violent non-state actors, making it critical to confront them head-on.
“The twin problems of unemployment and poverty have given impetus to security challenges, as the unemployed and poor are susceptible to recruitment by criminals and violent non-state actors,” the COS explained.
He further emphasized the need for a comprehensive and collaborative national response to these challenges, advocating for what he called a “whole-of-society approach.”
Lagbaja stressed the importance of integrating efforts from all sectors of society to form a coordinated and united front in addressing national security threats.
“A whole-of-society approach must be implemented in Nigeria by leveraging the strength of every stakeholder to ensure a cohesive and coordinated response to threats. To achieve this, there must be enhanced communication, cooperation, and trust among the different sectors, and efforts must be aligned with national interests and other security objectives,” he said.
This strategy, according to him, could potentially tackle the root causes of insecurity, including the persistent issues of poverty, unemployment, and social injustice that are often exploited by adversaries.
Lagbaja also raised concerns about Nigeria’s porous borders, which he described as allowing adversaries from other West African nations to infiltrate the country with ease.
The Army Chief pointed out that the presence of four West African nations in the list of the top ten most terrorized countries globally is a clear sign of the transnational affiliations and coordinated activities of terror groups across sub-Saharan Africa.
This situation, he warned, poses significant risks to Nigeria’s internal security.
He concluded by reinforcing the Nigerian Army’s commitment to improving collaboration with other security agencies in the ongoing fight to safeguard the nation.
He reiterated that no single institution could single-handedly address the myriad security challenges confronting the country, making joint efforts imperative.
Lagbaja stated, “No single agency could solve the myriads of insecurities facing the country,” adding that the Nigerian Army continues to deepen its synergy with other security outfits to fulfill its mandate of protecting lives, property, and national integrity.
