The Chief Of Army Staff (COAS) Lt.- Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja yesterday warned troops tackling insecurity across the country against violating the Rules of Engagement. Lagbaja, represented by the Chief of Civil Military Affairs Major Gen. Nosakhare Ugbo, issued the warning at a sensitisation workshop organised by the Nigerian Army in Gusau aimed at strengthening the cordial relationship between the military and law-abiding civilians.
Ugbo emphasized the need for the troops deployed for various operations to strictly serve in the best interest of the laws protecting human rights and promote civil-military coordination, which has v i r t u a l l y built confidence in the minds of the good citizens. The military chief said:
“As you embarked on your assigned duties by dealing decisively with individuals or groups of criminals, you must ensure adequate protection of the life and property of the law-abiding civilians to the extent they would appreciate your presence.”
The Commanding Officer of the 8 Division and Force Commander of the Joint Task Force Operation Hadarin Daji (OPHD) Major Gen. Godwin Mutkut advised social media operators to always avoid posting fake news and unverified figures of casualties and locations where incidents occurred. He said: “The Nigerian Army needs patriotic citizens as they also need the interventions of troops in their communities against criminals.”