Governor of Enugu State, Peter Mba and his Kaduna State counterpart, Uba Sani, Tuesday sought the assistance of the military to tackle spiralling insecurity in the two states.
Speaking during a courtesy visit to the Chief of the Naval Staff, Rear Admiral Ikechukwu Ogalla at the Naval Headquarters in Abuja, Mba sought the assistance of the military in tackling the activities of non-state actors in the state.
He stated that on assumption of office and with an improved economy of the state in mind, he banned the sit-at-home order emplaced by the Indeginous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB), a situation he said was undermining the economy of state.
“We made promises to our people which includes security of lives and property. In dealing with insecurity, we decided to adopt the kinetic and non-kinetic approach.
“We had to deal with the big elephant in the room. We had to end the sit-at-home. So far we are getting the support from stakeholders and we want the support of the Navy in taming insecurity
“We would be looking forward to partnering with the Navy to ensure peace and security in Enugu State”, he said.
Mba expressed profound gratitude to President Tinubu for the appointment of the naval chief to his position.
“We expressed gratitude to the president for the honour he did to us by appointment one of us. The value and honour are not lost on us.
I want to assure him that he and our state will not let him down
Greatness and honesty run in the DNA of people of Enugu State”, he said.
In his remarks, the Chief of the Naval Staff, Rear Admiral Ogalla, welcomed the governor on his maiden visit to the naval headquarters.
He said the Navy had maintained robust interactions with state governments.
He stated that the Nigerian Navy had ongoing operations and naval presence in Onitsha, Anambra State and Oguta in Imo State.
He said as part of the strategy of the Naval Headquarters, a strong naval presence would be established in Enugu.
“I welcome you on your maiden visit to the Naval headquarters. The relationship the Navy has with many state governments has helped improve security in the country.
“We have extended our operations to land areas and maritime security in Onitsha and Oguta. We have also extended to Enugu our strategic plan to have a permanent presence in Enugu to improve the security of Enugu State and the South-east”, he said.
Responding to the Enugu State chief executive’s comments on his appointment, he pledged to be a good ambassador of the country and the state.
“I promise to be an ambassador not just for the nation but Enugu State. We are going to make an impact such that the nation and Enugu State will be better for it”, he said.
Also on Tuesday, Governor of Kaduna State, Uba Sani, paid a courtesy call on the Chief of Army Staff, Major General Taoreed Lagbaja at the Army Headquarters in Abuja.
He called for further intervention especially the deployment of more troops to Southern Kaduna which is covered by Operation Safe Haven (OPSH) to curb the menace of bandits and other criminal elements in the area.
He lauded the efforts of Gen Lagbaja in decimating bandits and other criminalities along the Abuja- Kaduna road as well as the Birnin Gwari general area during his command as the GOC 1 Division.
In his remarks, the army chief expressed appreciation to the Kaduna State Government for its support and partnership with the Nigerian Army towards the restoration of peace and tranquility in the state.
Describing the state as a strong and dependable ally of the Nigerian Army, the COAS noted that Kaduna State held a special place in the hearts of military personnel, as it is a home for several military institutions and formations.
General Lagbaja lauded the governor for being the first governor to visit the Army Headquarters since his assumption of duty as the 23rd COAS.
He assured the governor and the good people of Kaduna State that the army will remain resolute in its efforts towards attaining sustainable peace and stability in the state.
Deji Elumoye
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