‘We appreciate your sacrifices’ — Lagbaja commends soldiers at Christmas

Taoreed Lagbaja, the chief of army staff (COAS), has commended soldiers on the frontlines for their dedication and sacrifices.

At the 2023 COAS Christmas carol held at Mogadishu cantonment parade ground in Abuja, Lagbaja said the peace the nation enjoys is paid for with the blood and sacrifices of the men in uniform.

“For our warriors in the frontlines and their families back in our rear units, I must say I quite understand what you feel at this season because I have served in many of our theatres of operations and I have been away from my family and loved ones,” he said. 

“In times like this, I understand the loneliness our military families endure and the homesickness of our troops in the frontline battle.

“It is part of the sacrifices we make for the love of our nation and humanity.

“I am proud to say that your bravery, service and dedication, serve as an example to many out of uniform and I convey the gratitude of our government and people to all you do.

“Christmas is about love, hope, giving and sharing, taking cognisance of the fact that the gift of Christ to the world is born out of God’s love for humanity.

“As military men and women, our life is one of sacrifice and duty.

“It is in the light of filling the gaps created by deployment away from loved ones that the army headquarters and other services headquarters organise events such as this Christmas carol service and other social get together for us to create a sense of belonging for our military families at home and our troops in the frontlines.”

The army chief assured the soldiers of the government’s support in their fight against the nation’s adversaries.