TheCable

Nasir El-Rufai, former governor of Kaduna, says Taoreed Lagbaja, the chief of army staff (COAS), will wipe out terrorism and banditry in Nigeria.

El-Rufai, in a Twitter post on Saturday, said Lagbaja leads from the front, adding that Boko Haram terrorists, bandits, members of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and other criminal bodies are afraid of the new COAS.

The former governor posted a video of the new army chief directing the troops to wipe out all criminal elements and stop the killings in Plateau state.

He said Lagbaja served as the general officer commanding (GOC) during his administration as governor of Kaduna.

“A new kind of chief of army staff who without a doubt will wipe out terrorism, banditry, vandalism and militancy in Nigeria,” el-Rufai said.

“I know the new COAS very well. Gen Taoreed Lagbaja was my last GOC as governor of Kaduna state. He always leads from the front anywhere he is

“He personally led troops to confront bandits in Kaduna state. He did the same in the north-east and south-east. The operatives of Boko Haram, IPOB, ESN and the bandits know well and fear him. He is the best choice as COAS.

“This video says it all. Thank you general Lagbaja. Keep on doing what you have always done so well and with valour. God Bless you.”

In June, Lagbaja took over from Faruk Yahya, as Nigeria’s 23rd chief of army staff.