By Oladipo Airenakho
Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State said on Tuesday that the people were proud of the invaluable services of the Nigerian armed forces to the peace and security of the State and the nation, especially in defeating the Boko Haram terrorists.
In his speech at the 18th Combat Service Support Training Week of the Nigerian Army Corps of Supply and Transport in Benin City, Tuesday, Oshiomhole noted that the army had gone beyond their call of duty of protecting the territorial integrity of the nation to also ensuring internal security.
He said “I cannot imagine what would have become of this State in terms of security if we have not had the support of the armed forces going beyond their conventional call of duty to support the police and the State Security Service to ensure the security of our people in this State.
“None of us ever thought that the issue of security is far more complicated. It goes beyond defending, as they say, the territorial integrity to now dealing with internal issues of insurgency in ways that are so complicated that just a few years back many of us would never have thought of the possibility of a full-blooded Nigerian carrying out what they would refer to as suicide bombing.”
He noted that the armed forces have risen to the occasion, remarking that if not for the determination of the officers and men in uniform, “only God knows which part of Nigeria that would have been under the control of insurgents, and which part would have been free.”
Oshiomhole said the people of Edo State were very proud of the accomplishment of the Nigerian armed forces in defeating Boko haram.
“For me, defeat in this sense is in terms of the impunity and the arrogance and the confidence with which they moved freely, hoisting flags and claiming more territories and our people were on the run. I believe today, there is no doubt that it is they who are on the run, and the Nigerian armed forces have re-established the fact that we have the best armed forces in our continent.”
He also commended the armed forces’ stabilizing role for the nation’s democracy, adding “Democracy only thrives under the condition of peace. If people don’t have a sense of security, if they are unable to move freely without fear for their lives, even the minimum requirement of being able to vote or be voted for cannot be guaranteed.”
Oshiomhole noted that given the desperation of politicians as the state moves closer the September 10 2016 gubernatorial election, the Military now finds itself having to complement the efforts of the police to guarantee that much-desired freedom and security.
Earlier in his speech, the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai who was represented on the occasion by the Corps Commander, infantry, Maj-Gen. Ahmed Mohammed said the Nigerian Army was so lucky that it is led by a Chief of Army Staff who listens, who consults and dictates the limits of action.
He asked Officers of the School of Army School of Supply and Transport to write a strong position paper to the Chief of Army Staff on their needs, saying: “if you have not written your problems and proposals, how can you get assistance?”
