ARMY BEEFS UP SECURITY IN LAGOS

The Nigerian Army on Wednesday said it had initiated measures to boost its capacity to contain all forms of terrorism and insurgency in Lagos. The General Officer Commanding (GOC) 81 Division, Nigerian Army, Maj.-Gen. Umahi Obi, said this at the inauguration of the 65 Battalion Alfa and Bravo Company Offices in Lagos. The project was sponsored by Lt.-Gen. Theophilus Danjuma (rtd), under the leadership of the Commanding Officer, Lt.-Col. Haruna Dasuki. Umahi’s declaration came in the wake of the recent security threat by the Boko Haram sect, threatening to infiltrate and unleash mayhem against military formations in Lagos. “In the army, when we plan for operations or even when we take our threat analysis, we assume the worst case scenario in our plans and we plan from that point of strength. “We come up with contingencies to deal with the worst situations and if the situation is lighter, it makes it easier for us in terms of executing it. “So, we are prepared for any manner of scenario and we are dressing up for it,” he said. The GOC said notwithstanding, the upper hand by the military, they would not lower their guards. He said that if anything happens anywhere in the country, they would
be proactive enough to tackle it. While admitting knowledge of the rumours making the rounds on alleged plans by the Boko Haram sect to attack military formations, he said the services were in top gear to counter such attacks. “We are aware of the rumour of an attack making the rounds but there is nothing concrete as yet to substantiate it. “But the information available, either at a rumour or intelligence level, would not be wished away; rather we would factor it in our contingency plans. “We don’t arrest for the fun of it; rather, because we have concrete evidence that there is a link between the suspects and terrorism. “We have not made any arrests recently but if we see the need to make any arrests, we will do so,” he said. While commending Danjuma, he said the Transformation Agenda in the army was not a mere talk-shop. He said the programme represents action backed by action, pointing out that anyone that has not imbibed the attitudinal change has not keyed into the agenda. Earlier, Dasuki said that Danjuma bought into the idea because the unit was not empowered financially to take up such a huge project. However, Danjuma, who was represented by the former GOC, 81 Division, Maj.-Gen. Abdul Tanko (rtd), called on the current Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Kenneth Minimah, to be focused. He said Minimah should also carry everybody along, in order to succeed. “I know that the new COAS, would do well, having worked under me as a Battalion Commander. “I urge him to be focussed and to ensure he carries everyone along. “It is also imperative that he does not work in isolation because the Armed Forces work and cooperate with others in other to succeed,” he added. (NAN)

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