The new Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Major General Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja, has promised Nigerians an army driven by discipline and professionalism in carrying out its duties.

Lagbaja gave this assurance on Friday when he was handed the army flag by the immediate past COAS, Lieutenant General Farouk Yahaya, at the Defence Headquarters in Abuja.

In his remarks, the new COAS stated that the Army has witnessed an unprecedented prudent management of resources and procurement of military hardware under his predecessor.

He promised to improve on the legacy of Yahaya, urging those who are disengaging from service not to deny the Nigerian Army the opportunity to tap from their experience whenever the need arises.

“I also make a promise to run an army that will be driven by discipline and professionalism,” Lagbaja who is the 23rd Chief of Army Staff said.

On the other hand, the outgoing COAS, Yahaya asked the Army not to be distracted by some unpatriotic elements, but to always remain apolitical and professional.

He also said that the Boko Haram insurgency was at its peak when he assumed office but he is leaving it better than he met it.

“I urge the army to sustain the ongoing gains over various security threats, including terrorists and bandits as well as crude oil thieves,” Yahaya said.

Recall that Yahaya was appointed army chief by the immediate past President, Muhammadu Buhari on May 27, 2021 after the tragic demise of Lieutenant General Ibrahim Attahiru.

Attahiru lost his life in an air crash alongside 10 other officers and men of the army on May 21, 2021.

Before he was appointed COAS, Yahaya was the Theatre Commander of Operation Hadin Kai, the counter-insurgency operation in the Northeast.

In attendance at Friday’s handover ceremony at the Defence Headquarters were senior military officers, and heads of various departments within the army.