Tighten the Noose on Saboteurs, Nation’s Enemies, Sanwo-Olu Tells Military

•Bala Mohammed lauds NAF’s intervention in Bauchi

Segun James in Lagos and Segun Awofadeji in Bauchi

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, yesterday, called on the armed forces to make it increasing difficult for the country’s enemies and saboteurs to conduct their nefarious activities. Sanwo-Olu stated this while receiving the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa, at State House, Marina.

In a similar vein, Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed declared his administration’s commitment to strengthening relationship and community-based partnership with the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) to enhance air operation in the identified security areas in the state.

Mohammed made the commitment while receiving the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Hassan Abubakar, at Government House, Bauchi.

Sanwo-Olu stressed that the economic recovery efforts of the President Bola Tinubu government rested on the premise of law and order. He stated that the seed of the president’s economic vision would germinate quicker if the military tightened the noose on those attempting to undermine the country’s security.

The service chief was accompanied by top defence officers, including the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 81 Division of the Nigerian Army, Major-General Mohammed Usman; Flag Officer Commanding Western Naval Command, Rear Admiral Mustapha Hassan; and Air Officer Commanding Logistics Command, AVM A.Y. Abdullahi, among others.

Sanwo-Olu said the country, in the last 12 months, witnessed a sharp decline in criminal attacks in areas burdened by instability, including the South-east and North-central. He hailed the servicemen for upholding their duty to protect law-abiding citizens living in the regions.

The governor urged the military to reinforce its strength to restore stability in areas still burdened by banditry, stating that there are still pockets of violence being recorded in the North-east.

He stated, “The vision of the president to advance economic development and prosperity can only be achieved in an atmosphere of stability and peace.

“We have observed how you have provided level-headed leadership to the defence personnel, while working collaboratively with your fellow service chiefs.

“This is especially commendable, as the nation is now seeing the results of the collaboration among our defence forces.

“In the last 12 months, we have seen a consistent decline in what we used to see as regular criminal attacks in some parts of the country.

“In the South-east, we have seen the military successes, as violence has gone down significantly. We have witnessed similar successes in the North-central, but we still have pockets of violence in the North-east, which I believe is within control.

“The military needs to tighten up and keep focus on restoring order to quickly accelerate progress, in line with the president’s vision.”

Sanwo-Olu passed a vote of confidence on the service chiefs.

Musa said the courtesy visit was to convey the appreciation of members of the armed forces for the financial and hardware support the governor had provided to enable military formations carry out their statutory duties in Lagos.

He said the level of support and cooperation from the state government had continued to strengthen the morale of soldiers, while raising the confidence of the defence formations in Lagos to respond quickly to threats.

The CDS pledged the military’s loyalty to the constitution and to the president, while also promising to protect the human rights of the citizens.

Bala Lauds NAF’s Intervention in Bauchi

Bauchi State Government expressed commitment to buttressing relationship with NAF to enhance air operations in identified security areas in the state. It also assured of sustained support to the force and other security agencies towards consolidating on the successes being recorded in the fight against crime and criminality.

Mohammed gave the commitment while receiving the Chief of Air Staff at Government House, Bauchi.

The governor commended the relentless effort of the air force personnel towards protecting lives and property of citizens.

Mohammed identified some of the security areas to include Alkaleri, Ningi, Toro and Tafawa Balewa local government areas. He acknowledged that the activities of bandits and other perpetrators of crime in the state had been crippled through intelligence and constant surveillance by the security forces.

Earlier, Abubakar applauded the governor for establishing the Special Agro Processing Zone in a bid to complement the effort of the security forces to provide food and job security in the state.