The Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Taoreed Lagbaja, gas stated the reason why troops couldn’t spend their Christmas with the family.

He made the statement when he visited Sokoto to celebrate Christmas with troops of Operation Hadarin Daji at Gingiya Barracks on Monday.

While speaking to the troops he acknowledged the challenges faced by the troops, who sacrifice celebrating Christmas with their families to ensure the safety and security of the nation.

Commending the troops for their dedication in combating insecurities, Lagbaja expressed pride in their resilience throughout the year.

Lagbaja commended their courage in standing firm while other families celebrate, emphasizing their duty-bound commitment.

“I therefore send my goodwill messages to the troops and their families with a sense of pride and appreciation. I want to congratulate the troops for making it this far into the year and for weathering all big storms that came our way.

“As we celebrate this Christmas and the New Year season, I want to take a moment to express my genuine respect and act of gratitude to our gallant troops for their unwavering dedication and sacrifice in ensuring the safety and security of our great nation.

“I commend your courage and resilience in the face of adversity on the Nigerian states, it is part of this that they cannot makes it come down to Sokoto to celebrate Christmas with their loved ones, it is not as if they don’t want to but because they are duty bound to stand on ground and safeguard our villages and Hamlet.

“They have the responsibility to stand on ground, while other families are celebrating Christmas together, they are celebrating their own on the field or their cantonment,” he stated.

Lagbaja appreciated the support of the people and government of Sokoto, assuring that peace would be restored in troubled areas. He urged residents to provide timely information to aid the troops in addressing security challenges.