Oshiomhole lauds Army’s role on security

BENIN CITY –  Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State says  the Nigerian Army has been playing a big role in maintaining security with the firepower it provides for other security agencies to combat the menace of kidnapping and other violent crimes in the state.
He said the state is the safest in the South-South region, adding that credit must go to the Army for the role it played.
Speaking on Monday, when he played host to the new Commander of the 4 Brigade, Nigerian Army Brig.-Gen Faruk Yahaya in his office, the Governor said the state government enjoys a robust relationship with officers and men of the Command except for some incidents during the last general elections.
He said:“ let me congratulate you on your posting. I want to say that you are coming at a very interesting time.  We have had a very fruitful and rewarding relationship with successive Brigade Commanders and indeed the 4 Brigade since I assumed office here. We have enjoyed very warm relationship, somehow the Army has been very supportive of this administration and of our state with particular reference to internal security, even though the primary mandate of the army is clear to all of us, but because of the intricacies of the security system we have had to appeal to the President to   allow the 4 Brigade to help to complement the police and the SSS on issues of internal security.
“This is why we now have the Operation Thunderstorm which is run under the leadership of the 4 Brigade. They have been extremely useful in ensuring peace and security in this state. My security brief by the SSS shows that any time they arrest criminals, particularly armed robbers and kidnappers, they have had to rely exclusively on the 4 Brigade for the fire cover.
“There is no doubt that for the effort of the 4 Brigade the state would not be as safe as it is today. We are very hopeful that under your leadership the 4 Brigade will continue to compliment the effort of the police and the SSS to ensure internal peace and security.
“I understand military officers are expected to obey superior orders but when these orders are clearly unlawful, it behooves on a responsible officer to know where to draw the line.
“We as a government appreciate that every community is a part of Edo State and government has a responsibility for everyone in the state including military institutions and because our mandate is clear and because of my own personal life experience we extended facilities to military institutions. You would have seen some schools in the Brigade headquarters, the Nigerian Air force and the Supply & Transport Barracks. I believe we are currently doing something in Auchi and Agenebode barracks.
“For me if the armed forces is to protect the territorial integrity of Nigeria, officers and men have chosen a profession which oblige them to put down their lives for our own security then we should provide for the people in uniform and therefore we do everything possible to ensure that we contribute our quota to ensure that the children of officers and men attend schools which conform to the standard of Edo State government. But I also got to know that some of these schools you call army schools are not only attended by children of army officers. My two daughters are beneficiaries of military schools.
“I know from my experience that the army contributes to the education of not only of the men and women in uniform, but of the entire host community and even people who are not within the host community and I believe that under your leadership, Edo State government and the 4 Brigade would have a fruitful relationship.
“Earlier, the New Brigade Commander said, “We are in Government House to formally pay respect to the Governor as the Chief Security Officer of the State.”
He said, “I solicit for your kind and usual support and guidance for effective discharge of my duties. The support and assistance you have provided for us is there for everyone to see. The assistance and support you have given to other previous Commanders, I solicit for it. The task of security is collective and cannot be done by the Nigerian Security alone.”