Emmanuel Ugwu-Nwogo in Umuahia
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, has expressed satisfaction at the various interventions of the Abia State government to the 14 Brigade Ohafia.
He said that such interventions had enhanced the operations of the troops and the welfare of their families, thereby yielding enhanced security dividends in Abia.
A release by the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Mr. Kazie Uko, said that the COAS spoke on the relationship between the Army and Abia government during a visit to Governor Alex Otti at his country home.
The army chief was in Abia on Wednesday in continuation of his nationwide tour of formations and units of the Nigeria Army.
He said that with sustained support the security agency would be encouraged to keep working with the state government to provide a secured environment for peaceful living and conduct of business in Abia.
“I have been briefed on the several interventions of Abia State Government to 14 Brigade. I also want to appreciate you for your personal leadership that has led to tremendous improvement in the security situation in Abia State since your assumption of office,” he added.
Lagbaja said that his observation on the improved security in Abia was “based on the hindsight of my knowledge of the state and the challenges” having been the General Officer Commanding 82 Division, Enugu.
The Army chief pledged the readiness of the formations and units of 14 Brigade, and even other Nigerian Army assets deployed around the area, to support the government.
He assured the governor that such support was needed to ensure that he continues to improve on the state of security and assist the state government to provide the enabling environment for economic activities and development to thrive.
In his response, the Abia governor said the visit of COAS had further strengthened government’s resolve to partner with the army and work together to secure not just Abia but the whole of the South-east geopolitical zone.
He also thanked the Nigeria Army for the support the government had received in the fight against insecurity in Abia, citing the success of Operation Crush, the state’s special multi-agency security task force, led by the army.
“Let me use this opportunity to publicly thank you for the support that you have given us because if you didn’t give the support, the success that people are talking about today wouldn’t have happened. So we are very grateful.
“We have worked together with the military as partners and brothers. Your men don’t sleep. Any time there is anything and we call them, they respond immediately. So, please extend our gratitude to them,” Otti said.
Notwithstanding the improved security situation, Otti requested for a meeting between the COAS and the South-east governors to find solution to the other lingering issues of insecurity in the zone.
