Following the incessant clashes between the police
and the military, especially in Lagos State, the Nigerian Army yesterday called
for inter-service synergy, noting that it is a panacea for curbing crime.
The General Officer Commanding (GOC), 81 Division
of the Nigerian Army, Major General Enobong Okon, made this call on Wednesday during a
courtesy visit on the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Imohimi Edgal, in
Ikeja.
The GOC, who frowned at the inter rivalry between
the police and the military, blamed the authority at the helm of affairs of
both services.
He said the reason for his visit was to chart a new
course for peace to reign between policemen and soldiers.
To start with, he said he has been preaching to his
men against quarreling or fighting with any policeman in public because it was
against the constitution of the Nigerian army.
He said: "The Nigerian army is ready to close
ranks with the police as far as security is concerned in Lagos. I have gone
round and heard a lot of issue and problems that exist in various parts of the
state such as militancy, cultism, armed robbery, piracy, activities of pipeline
vandals and so many other threats.
"I must however, commend the CP and his
lieutenants for what they are doing
since he took over. I have seen the way and manner peace has reigned in the
state through your community policing drive.
"There is however need for synergy. I have
gone round my units and have been preaching one sermon which is synergy and
cooperation with the police and other services including those at the
border.
"I am here today to foster that synergy. I want
us to take this inter- service cooperation to another level like it is in Niger
Delta where I come from.
"Between January and now, you can notice the
disgraceful and unbecoming issue cropping up between security agencies in
Lagos.
"The CP, other senior police officers and I
are to be held responsible for this
inter-service rivalry.”
He added: "If a soldier continues to see
police as his enemy and a fight ensues in the process, it is not the soldier or
rank and file policeman that should be held responsible but the CP and me.
"This is because we have not fostered a
situation where such inter-service rivalry will be eliminated.
" From today, based on this understanding,
partnership and what is happening here today,
I want to believe there won't be
any situation where police and soldiers will be seen fighting.”
He, therefore, urged senior police officers present
to take the message back to their units and commands.
To solidify the move, the GOC said joint trainings,
route match, show of force should be held between both sides regularly to
pass the message of inter-service
synergy.
In his response, the CP, who described the GOC's
visit as apt, said the synergy between the security agencies in Lagos was next
to none, pointing out that some breakthroughs
recorded by the command had been
in joint collaboration with the military in particular.
Giving instances, he mentioned the role played by
the military in tackling the menace of the Badoo ritual gang in Ikorodu and its
environs.
He said: "We may have different roles but we
are working for the same government and have same mandate of ensuring that
peace reigns.
"It is also our duty to control our men.
Unfortunately, as human beings, there might be misunderstandings, but we must
quickly rise above that so the situation does not escalate."
He assured the general that the command under his watch
would not only strengthen the synergy but would build a platform where
subsequent CPs would toe the line.
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