Oba Akiolu: Trouble is Coming to Nigeria, Unless......

Ihejirika

...As Ihejirika Charges Commanding Officers Against Insurgents 

By Chiemelie Ezeobi

The Oba of Lagos, Oba Rilwan Akiolu,  yesterday sounded a note of warning to governments in all strata of governance, urging them to work towards achieving credible elections in 2015 or risk inciting trouble in the country.

He made this call at the kick off of the three-day First Commanding Officers' Workshop entitled 'Enhancing the Professional Competence of Nigerian Army (NA) in Handling Contemporary Security Challenges', held at the 81 Division Headquarters, Lagos.

According to him, trouble was unavoidable if honest, fair and sincere elections are not conducted come 2015, adding that the trouble will spell crisis with lingering results. 

He also lamented the poverty and suffering of Nigerians, adding that the malaise was growing in geometrical progress. He then called on the presidency to help ease the problem in the country by doing what is right.

In his speech, the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Azuibuke Ihejirika, said Commanding Officers (CO) constitute an important agent in driving the NA transformation agenda, adding that they are pivotal in delivering the combat effectiveness of the army. 

While calling on them to remain vigilant against insurgents that might try to infiltrate their Areas of Responsibility (AOR), Ihejirika said the mind of officers must be prepared against any aggression both within and outside, urging them to keep tab on maximum troops alertness. 

He said suicide bombing has brought a complex dimension in the determined attempt to foist ideology on the country, adding that in the light of such nefarious acts, CO's are to be at alert to nip such in the bud.

He said, "As part of operational security, CO's must ensure maximum troops alertness and security of personnel, installation and equipment at all times. Therefore, this workshop is aimed at building officers' capabilities in terms of physical, doctrinal and conceptual components.

"Let me remind you that the threat we are faced with today is principally asymmetric and not conventional. From the creeks in the Niger Delta to the Sahel Savannah region in the North East and North West, there is no clear line between you and the adversary.

"The adversary employs all forms of unconventional weapons and tactics in urban and rural areas capitalising on the porousity of our borders and its capability  in some cases has no doubt overwhelmed the capacity of our border security agencies including the police."

Ihejirika stressed that their deployment to deal with distress situations must be robust , adding that, maximum consideration  for the issue of collateral damage  must also be observed.

He however, announced that a decision has also been taken  to reinforce existing Quick Response Group (QRG) and Forward Operation Base (FOB) as part of measures to strengthen existing border security arrangements.

He said, "We are working assiduously to build our surveillance capability through local research efforts and external procurement. Therefore, we are reinforcing the existing QRG and FOBs.

"We have also concluded plans to restructure and reinforce Operation Restore Order 111 for better effectiveness to ensure good command and control. Also, COs are expected to enhance mutual support with neighbouring units through intelligence sharing."