DEFENCE
Inter-agency Rivalry and Internal Security
The rot, lack of intelligence and interagency cooperation in the nation’s security apparatus which many have observed and complained about was recently exposed in the clash between the army and police, which left about 6 people dead, including some police officers attached to the IRT of the police headquarters and the mysterious escape from custody of an alleged notorious kidnap kingpin, Alhaji Hamisu Bala Wadume in Ibi, Taraba State.
According to accounts by the police, some of its special operatives from Abuja were in Taraba where they effected the arrest of a kidnap suspect and were on their way to Jalingo, the state capital, when soldiers at an army checkpoint opened fire on the vehicle they were travelling in, killing three police officers and a civilian and leaving others injured. The arrested kidnap suspect, who was in handcuffs, was allegedly freed by the soldiers, the police have said. The army had in its defense, in the wake if the incident, said that soldiers from the 93 Battalion got a distress call that kidnappers had come to operate in their community, leading to the hot pursuit that culminated in the unfortunate killings.
But this was countered by the police in another statement wherein it raised some posers: “Where is the notorious kidnapper, Alhaji Hamisu Bala Wadume ‘rescued’ by the soldiers? How could a kidnap suspect, restrained with handcuffs by the police, escape from the hands of his military rescuers? If Hamisu Wadume is a ‘victim of kidnap’ as claimed, and properly rescued by soldiers, why was he not taken to the Army base for documentation purposes and debriefing in line with the standard operating procedure in the Nigerian army? Why were the police operatives shot at close range even after they had identified themselves as police officers on legitimate duty as evident in the video now in circulation?”In raising these posers, have accused the soldiers of working in cohorts with the notorious kidnapper, hence their move to save him at all cost after he was arrested.Rising criminality across the country, from cattle rustling and kidnapping in the North West to insurgency in the North East, herders and farmers clashes in the North Central, Kidnapping and armed banditry in the South East and South West and oil bunkering in the South South, has seen the increased involvement of the army in matters of internal security. Soldiers are now deployed to jobs that should ordinarily be handled by an already demotivated police force and what you find is cases of alleged abuses against citizens by the soldiers and deep seated rivalry and resentment between the soldiers and the police. Soldiers have often been accused of going all out to enrich themselves when posted on such assignments as indicated in reports which have alleged the involvement of an unnamed army captain in the Taraba incident.
The incident, as disgraceful as it is, presents an opportunity for thorough investigation to unravel the circumstances behind the instant case and to find the bad eggs in the system, as the incidence has lend credence to allegations of the existence of fifth columnists within the system who will stop at nothing to give cover to criminals to perpetrate their nefarious activities and work to get them off the hook if they are apprehended.
While we admit that the Police does not have the personnel to enforce security and the laws in the entire country as it ought to, the current development makes it imperative for military involvement in civil Affairs and matters of internal security to be reviewed to reflect that we are truly a democratic state.
With the pertinent issues raised by the police, we call on the military authorities to spare nothing in providing answers to those posers and also call on the federal government committee investigating the matter to do a thorough job and that when the report of the committee is presented, it should not be swept under the carpet.
The Nigerian Army is set to review the conduct of troops in Operation Safe Conduct during the just concluded 2023 general elections across the country.
The review is expected to take place during the forthcoming Chief of Army Staff First Quarter 2023 Conference.
This is contained in a statement by the Director of Army Public Relations, Brig.
Nwachukwu said that the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Faruk Yahaya, would interact with the General Officers Commanding (GOC), field commanders and other senior officers.
He said that the interaction would help to provide possible guidance towards enhancing army operations and other activities.
He said the conference, which would hold from April 3 to April 6 would offer an avenue for reappraisal of the administrative affairs of the Nigerian army.
He added that it would also help in evaluation and comprehensive review of ongoing operational engagements within the first quarter.
According to him, this will provide the army an in-depth insight to enable far reaching decisions towards achieving its set objective of addressing the multifaceted security challenges confronting the country.
Nwachukwu said that the COAS would present a new Toyota Hilux vehicles each to 14 Army Warrant Officers who had attained the peak of their soldiering career.
“Similarly, the COAS will commission the newly constructed Faruk Yahaya Historical Park located at Asokoro Abuja.
“The conference will also showcase some research and development effort of the Nigerian Army in an exhibition.
“The three days conference promises to be very eventful, as it will witness a review of the conduct of troops during the recently concluded Operation SAFE CONDUCT 2023 and other operations across the country,” he said.
Nwachukwu reaffirmed the commitment and resolve of the Nigerian army to discharging its constitutional mandate professionally.
“We will also be resolute in upholding our values of courage, selfless sacrifice, respect, discipline and unalloyed loyalty to constituted authority,” he added. (NAN)
The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Lucky Irabor, says that President Muhammadu Buhari is happy with the troops performance in the fight against insurgents in the North East.
Irabor stated this on Thursday in Maiduguri while addressing troops at the headquarters of the Joint Task Force, North East Operation Hadin Kai.
“The Commander in Chief is happy with you and has asked me to relay to you to keep up the standard and momentum that you are displaying in the north east operation,” Irabor said.
The CDS also lauded the successes being recorded by the troops, adding that it was based on their sense of patriotism and resilience.
He said that the troops` performance showed the true manifestation of the training provided to them.
Irabor said that commanders in the theatre were putting final touches for more onslaughts on remnants of Boko Haram and ISWAP.
“You must ensure that the criminals wherever they are hiding you smoke them out
“I know that you will do that, very soon we will be back to celebrate together,” Irabor said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the CDS also held a meeting with the Theatre Commander, Maj.-Gen. Ibrahim Ali, GOC 7 Division, Maj. Gen. Waidi Shuaibu and other operational commanders.
He also interacted with wounded soldiers at the military hospital in Maimalari Cantonment. (NAN)
Former Chief of General Staff under Gen. Sani Abacha’s government, retired Lt.-Gen. Oladipo Diya(GCON), is dead.
The former military governor of Ogun died at the age of 79.
His death was announced on Sunday in a statement by his son, Oyesinmilola Diya.
It read, “On behalf of the entire Diya family home and abroad; we announce the passing on to Glory of our dear husband, father, grandfather and brother, Lt- Gen.
“Our dear Daddy passed onto glory in the early hours of March 26, 2023.
Please keep us in your prayers as we mourn his demise in this period.Further announcements will be made public in due course,” he said.
(NAN)
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