Maj.-Gen. Anthony Omozoje, the General Officer Commanding, 2 Division, Nigerian Army, Ibadan, has called for more synergy among the nation’s security agencies to tackle insecurity in the country.
Omozoje made the call during a lecture organised by the Exercise Crocodile Smile IV, at Super Camp in Okitipupa, Ondo State on Saturday.
The lecture was entitled: “Inter-agencies Collaboration: Imperative for Efficient Joint Operations”.
The exercise crocodile smile IV is an inter-agency body, comprising the NPF, DSS, NSCDC, Nigeria Customs Service, Nigerian Immigration Service, NDLEA and the Nigerian Prison Service, working together to ensure peace and security in the southern part of the state.
The exercise, which commenced on Nov. 8, is expected to end on Dec. 23.
“It is quite clear that when we synergise, we deliver better on our various core responsibilities, because we are all players in the security spectrum, but with each of us having a particular sector to take care of.
“So when synergise, we will be able to cover the spectrum across the nation; that is why other security agencies should join hands with the army to ensure that criminality, cultism, kidnapping and militancy are curtailed in the country,” he said.
Omozoje urged the participants to put into practice the lessons they had leant since the commencement of the exercise in the state.
He also called on them to ensure that law-abiding citizens were not molested during the period of the exercise.
Brig.-Gen. Joseph Omolafe (rtd.), who delivered the lecture, said that the police, the military and other paramilitary agencies were creation of Nigeria’s constitution, stressing the need to, therefore, shun rivalry or antagonism in order to improve on the nation’s security.
“The simple cause of our rivalry is lack of the understanding that we are all working towards the same goal.
“That somebody is carrying sophisticated arms doesn’t make him more superior to the other who is caring less sophisticated arms.
“Just like an FRSC official who doesn’t carry arms has his own responsibility toward national security, likewise the military and the police.
“We must build trust among ourselves and work as a team; when we see ourselves as working towards national security, then clashes will be greatly reduced,” he said.
The highlight of the occasion was a dinner in honour of Brig.-Gen. D. B. Suleiman, the Chief of Staff of the brigade and Commodore D. M. Ndanusa, the Commanding Officer, Forward Operation Base, Igbokoda, both of whom were recently promoted.
