The former Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Lucky Irabor, has issued a stern warning against politicizing the military, emphasizing the unparalleled unity and bond within its ranks.
Speaking at a reception organized by the Defence Headquarters following his pulling-out parade in Abuja on Friday, General Irabor stressed that the military enjoyed a level of camaraderie and solidarity not found in any other sector.
"The friendship and unity that exist within the armed forces cannot be found anywhere else, and that is why you shouldn't play politics with the military. Every corner of this country is represented among the 774 Local Government Areas. No commander goes to war solely with his kinsmen," he stated firmly.
Contrary to popular belief, General Irabor clarified that military personnel did not require any special injections to develop toughness. Instead, their resilience came from rigorous training and indoctrination through regimentation.
"The military is a family, for those who may not know. It is a family. I have been asked numerous times about receiving injections. What injection? There is no injection. The injection is training and discipline. They also claim we operate like a cult; while the process may resemble that, it is a positive cult," he explained.
General Irabor highlighted the unique nature of military training, where the bonding between cadets and officers transcends generations.
"In the training establishment, when I was a cadet, the program lasted three years. Later, it became a five-year program. When it was three years, admissions occurred every six months, but when it became one year, admissions happened annually," he revealed.
"To complete a three-year program means you will have five sets of seniors and five sets of juniors. The deep sense of camaraderie that emerges from this is unparalleled, which may explain why some perceive it as a cult. The values and traditions are passed down from one generation to the next. In the field, we see ourselves as brothers. I would like to take this opportunity to appeal to our friends and fellow citizens to recognize the investment in our armed forces and encourage other sectors to follow suit," General Irabor emphasized.
General Irabor also urged his successor, Major General Christopher Musa, to ensure that the promises made by the President for the military are fulfilled, as it would benefit both the nation and the armed services.
During his pulling-out parade earlier that day, General Irabor acknowledged the challenges faced under his leadership due to the vast and diverse nature of Nigeria.
"Maintaining national security in a large and diverse country like Nigeria is no easy task, but it is not impossible either. In 2021, the security situation was admittedly challenging. However, the efforts made by the Federal Government of Nigeria, in collaboration with the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN), the Nigerian Police Force (NPF), other security agencies, and critical stakeholders, were in progress. We were encouraged to pursue these measures along with other initiatives to strengthen the national security architecture and fulfill critical national security functions," he said.
General Irabor expressed confidence in leaving the armed forces more capable and prepared to face adversaries than when he assumed his role.
"We have made significant strides in combating terrorism, piracy, and other threats. We have curtailed the menace of terrorism, insurgency, piracy, sea robberies, vandalism of critical national assets, kidnappings, and our military's support in civil authority roles," General Irabor declared.
"We have worked in close collaboration with other security agencies and stakeholders to establish a secure environment conducive to upholding the rule of law, democratic processes, human security, and national development."
