By Tola Gbadamosi

The General Officer Commanding (GOC) 2 Division, Ibadan Nigeria Army, Major General Bamidele Alabi, has said that the proactiveness displayed by officers of the Nigeria army had put an end to terror attacks in Ondo state.

He said since the mass shooting and bombing at a Catholic church in Owo on June 2, 2022, such terror attack had not repeat itself.

Alabi stated this during his familiarization visit to 32 Army Artillery Brigade, Akure.

The GOC, who said he was impressed with the professional conduct and operations of the army personnel, asked for continuous sustenance of peace in the brigade.

“ I want to say well-done to the good job you’re doing in the units under the command.

“Your area of responsibility have continued to remain peaceful and there is high level of security. That is to say your deployment, operations, patrols and everything you are doing have been very successful and impressive and that is why we are having the present peaceful situation.

“Since the last attack in Owo, we have not heard anything negative up to that scale again.

“So, you must sustain the good efforts that you have been doing to ensure that we don’t give criminals chance to explore any gap to carry out any form of attack on innocent people,” he stated.

Alabi, who said that there are occasional occurrences of kidnapping, armed robbery and other crimes under the area, asked the brigade to collaborate with other security agencies, traditional rulers, religious leaders and civil society organizations to flush out criminal elements hiding in bushes to perpetrate their criminal deeds.

“Yes, I know there are occasional issues of kidnapping , armed robbery and other crimes.

“You must continue to be proactive, disciplined and highly professional in your conducts and operational activities to ensure that we don’t give criminals any room to carry out activities within your areas of responsibility.

“Be security alert and be conscious of your environment to ensure that you do not record any negative incident.

“Nigeria Army is for Nigerians and we must continue to protect our country and its people by flushing out criminals among the people.

“They are in the bushes, so, sometimes it is difficult for us to identify them but we must continue to work with other security agencies, members of the public, civil society organizations, traditional institutions and religious bodies to be able to address the problems we have now. It requires us to work together,” he stated.

According to him, the brigade must align itself with philosophy of the Chief of Army Staff of transforming the Nigerian army to a well trained, equipped and a highly motivated force towards achieving constitutional responsibility within joint environment, saying there is need to work together to guarantee safety.

“ Our country is highly challenged. Criminals are everywhere carrying weapons and many people are coming in to make money at all cost; we must protect our country so that our people can live in peace.

“This is our constitutional responsibility,” he said.

The GOC assured the officers and soldiers that the current leadership of the Nigeria army had decided to provide effective leadership that would address welfare and benefits of personnel.

“Part of what the Chief of Staff is doing is to ensure sound administration, operational effectiveness and good leadership; that all issues bordering on welfare are resolved. As fund is being received, we will change. Army headquarters is quite aware of all challenges and this administration will ensure our welfare. Just be patient.

“We will offer you effective leadership, continue to equip and train you to achieve operational effectiveness,” he promised.

The GOC also visited Exercise Still Water III of Nigeria Army Base in Owo and as well paid a visit to Deji of Akure, Oba Aladelusi Aladetoyinbo in his palace in Akure.