Army Champions Multi-agency Cooperation to Enhance Security Operations
Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu (middle), flanked by GOC 81 Division, Major General Lawrence Fejokwu (right) and FOC Western Naval Command, Rear Admiral Jason Gbassa (left), at the event
Precious Ugwuzor
To enhance security operations, the 81 Division of the Nigerian Army has called for continuous multi-agency cooperation.
The army made this call at the Nigerian Army 81 Division Operations Planning Cadre 2021, held at the division Officers’ Mess, Outer Marina, Lagos, recently.
The event themed “enhancing multi-agency cooperation in contemporary security environment,” was attended by heads of all security and law enforcement agencies in Lagos, including the Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
In his welcome address, the General Officer Commanding (GOC), 81 Division, Major General Lawrence Fejokwu, said the training was in line with the vision of the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Lieutenant General Farouk Yahaya, which is to have a “professional Nigerian Army ready to accomplish assigned missions within a joint environment in the defence of Nigeria”.
He further emphasised the army’s recognition of the need to groom its officers with necessary skills in planning and execution of operations in the light of current security challenges in the division’s Area of Responsibilities (AOR) and Nigeria at large.
He noted that “the Operations Planning Cadre is also aimed at improving the professional efficiency and harmonious relationship between the Nigerian Army and other stakeholders in promoting synergy in addressing all forms of internal security challenges that may arise in Lagos State and environs.
“In contemporary Nigeria, the effect of rural-urban migration resulting in the growth of cities has some attendant security challenges such as armed robbery, social crises and – kidnapping.
“The large populations of urban centres are also potent with the difficulty to identifying terrorists, insurgents and other troublemakers from law-abiding citizens.
“The propensity for confrontation and clashes between various security agencies and stakeholders as is occasionally being experienced in Lagos and elsewhere have also added new dimensions to some of the security challenges arising from urbanisation.
“I must say that we will have to remain focused in our efforts towards combating security challenges in the modern day complex environment.”
Speaking, Lagos Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, also called for an all systems approach to solving security challenges in the country, this is just as he advocated constant update, upgrade of security architecture to enhance, and in keeping with evolving demands and threats faced tod
According to Sanwo-Olu, the division’s operation planning cadre could not have come at a better time considering the security challenges that have bedevilled the country.
He noted that the challenges had brought to fore, existing gaps in approaches and various responses which must be seen as opportunity to re-assess security strategies strategies solutions.
He said: “We must however see this gap as opportunity to re-assess our security strategies and solution. I belief this can be done at all levels of governance.
“It is therefore incumbent upon us as a society to constantly update and upgrade our security architecture to enhance and in keeping with the evolving demands and threats that we all face today.
“You will all agree with me that no single security agency possess all the required skills and ability to sustainably secure this great country. The whole of systems approach is required for solving our security challenges.
“All security agencies are putting their hearts and minds together to surmount any and all of the challenges we are facing today.
“I am glad to note that this year’s operations planning cadre has an expanded audience covering all security agencies. Such cooperation by all, will certainly go a long way towards addressing the identified and emerging gaps in the security and protection of life and property not only in Lagos State but in the country as a whole.
“Therefore, this strong understanding and appreciation of the Nigerian Army’s place within the larger security architecture is very much welcome and will no doubt play a critical positive role in the outcomes we are seeing and expecting at various theatres of operation across the nooks and crannies of our country.
“It is therefore my hope and belief that every other security and law enforcement agency in the country will demonstrate a similar appreciation of this kind of cooperation and collaboration required to decisively defeat the forces of violence and criminality that are around all of us today.”
At the event were the Flag Officer Commanding (FOC) Western Naval Command, Rear Admiral Jason Gbassa; Air Officer Commanding (AOC) Logistics Command, Air Vice Marshal (AVM) Sunday Makinde; Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG) in charge of Zone II, Babatunde Kokumo; Lagos State Commissioner, Hakeem Odumosu; and representatives of the Department of State Services (DSS), Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), among others.
