Major General Enobong Okon Calls for Peace between the Police and Army in Lagos State

Army ,Police stretegise to end rivalry between them

The Nigerian Army, yesterday, in Lagos, called for the need for inter service synergy, particularly between the Military and the Police, saying that it was he only solution to adequately tackle acts of criminality.

General Officer Commanding 81 Division of the Nigerian Army, Major General Enobong Okon, who made the call during a coutersy visit on he Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Police Command , Imohimi Edgal, in Ikeja.

The GOC who frowned on the inter rivalry beteern the Police and the Military, stated emphatically that senior officers at the helm of affairs of both sides should be blamed for the cause, informing that the main reason for his visit was to chat a new course of peace between policemen and soldiers.

To start with, he stated that he had started preaching to his men against quarreling or fighting with any policeman in public, saying it was against the constitution of the Nigerian Army.

He said : "The Nigerian Army is ready to close rank with the Police as far as security is concern in Lagos. I have gone round and heard a lot of issue and problems that exist in various parts of the state such as Militancy, cultism, armed robbery , sea robbery, piracy, activities of pipeline vandals and so many other threats.

I must however, commend the CP and his lieutenants for what they are doing since you (CP)took over . I have seen the way and manner peace has been reigning in the state through your community policing drive .

There is however , need for synergy. And

I have gone round my units and have been preaching one sermon which is synergy and cooperation with the police and other services including those at the boarder. I am here today to Forster that synergy . I want us to take this inter- service a cooperation to another level it is in Niger Delta , where I came from.

Between January and now, you can notice the disgraceful and unbecoming issue cropping up between security agencies in Lagos. The CP, other senior police officers and myself are to be held responsible for this inter service rivalry .

If a soldier continues to see Police as his enemy and a fight ensued in the process, it is not the soldier of Rank and File policeman that should me held responsible but the CP and myself.

This is because we have not foster a situation where such inter service rivalry will be eliminated.

" From today , based on this understanding , partnership and what is happening here today, I want to believe there won't be any situation where police and soldiers will be seen fighting. On my part, I will not tolerate any situation whereby any soldier will treat a policeman anyhow. I have preached that every where I go.

Constitutionally, an Army personnel is forbidden to be seen quarreling of fighting in public. If caught, he is liable to a trial process which can get him dismissed from the Force.

The truth is that we will continue to meet each other out there because our responsibilities are similar.

Between January and now, we have also made arrest of criminals. We are complimenting each other and are after same purpose.

"There is need for us to close rank and pursue our respective mandate objectively with close synergy, the Police can't do it alone. Let us work together in synergy and cooperation to eradicate all manner of inter agency wrangling".

He therefore, urged senior police officers present to take he message back to their units and commands and also called on the need for big sides to see themselves as friends instead of enemies.

To solidify the move, the GOC said joint trainings, route match , show of force should be held between both sides regularly to pass the message of inter service synergy. To further foisted this, he invited the CP, his lieutenants and other senior police officers to an Army event tagged ' Multi Agency Solidarity lunch and happy hour which the holds every month, adding that the invitation would also be extended to other agencies in Lagos.

Responding, the CP, who described the GOC's visit as being apt, stated that the synergy between security agencies in Lagos was next to none, pointing out that some breakthroughs recorded by the command had been in joint collaboration with the Military in particular.

For instance , he stated specifically that the Military played a role in tackling the menance of Badoo, as well as other operations carried out in trouble prone areas in the state.

He pointed out the constitutional role of the Police included performing other roles played by the military, while the military by constitution, are meant to play supplementary role.

He explained that the strength of the command can not adequately match the on , revealing that 72,000 persons enter the state daily without returning back. He therefore commended the Military for assisting in combating crime.

He said :" we may have different roles but we are working for same government and have same mandate of ensuring that peace reigns .

It is also our duty to permiate down our men . we're one. But unfortunately, as human beings, there might've misunderstanding . But we must quickly rise up to that, so that the situation does not escalate".

He assured that he command under his watch would not only stregthen the synergy but would build a platform where subsequent CP, would tailor the line.