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The service chiefs visited Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, on Thursday, to restrategise over the security challenges facing the country.
The service chiefs, led by the Chief of Defence Staff(CDS), Lt. Gen. Leo Irabor, arrived the 2nd mechanised division of the Nigerian Army o where the CDS addressed officers and men of the division.
With him were the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Ibrahim Attahiru; Chief of Naval Staff, Rear Admiral Awwal Gambo and Chief of Air Staff, Air Vice Marshal Oladayo Amao. They were received by the General Officer Commanding (GOC) of the division, Major General Anthony Omozoje.
Addressing top officers and soldiers of the division, Irabor said they were in Ibadan to show that all the armed forces were now ready to work together in addressing security challenges confronting the country. He added that there visit to Ibadan was to give leadership direction in restrategising against terrorism and other security challenges in the country over which President Mohammadu Buhari has given a directive that they should be surmounted within the next few weeks.
He said: “We have come as a team working together and to also let you know that the charge that Mr President has given to us that we must in partnership with other security agencies take measures to bring sanity to bear within the security landscape of the country. So, we have come and have been briefed by the GOC along the Flag Officer Commanding. The brief has been given to us. We know that you are doing the utmost to meet that objective. We can only commend you and edge you to keep up the spirit. We want to see across the length and breadth of the armed forces training activities, operational engagements that are result-oriented. This is what we want to see of you going forward. In due course, the service chiefs will be coming around to have interactions with you on a more detailed level. So, let me commend you for the commitment you have shown in tackling security challenges across the country. The cooperation that exists among you must be maintained, and the liaison that we have displayed with other security agencies must be maintained.
“We are convinced that you have been doing your utmost best to preserve the integrity of the armed forces. And we are delighted with your performance thus far. But the work is not over. The reason being that across the country and in your AOR, there are still pockets of security challenges. Mr President, Commander-In-Chief has charged us to ensure that we bring peace and security in conjunction with other security agencies within few weeks across the country. This is part of the reasons we are here and we have received thorough briefing as to what the division and all the armed forces are doing collectively in ensuring that the directive of Mr President comes to fruition.
“I will like to let you know that we, from the headquarters, both the defence and the services, are happy with what you are doing in this AOR. Keep it up. Every of your engagements must be such that you achieve results.
“Regarding your welfare and administration, so much is being done. Details will be made known to you when we leave.”