The Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, has charged Imo State residents to refuse to condone criminality.
Oluyede made the call during a key stakeholders engagement forum, with the theme, “Taking the Nigerian Army to the Communities”, held in Owerri, the state capital, on Thursday.
The Special Guest of Honour, Maj. Gen. Obinna Ajunwa, who spoke on behalf of the Chief of Army Staff, advocated joint efforts in securing the state and Nigeria as a whole.
He regretted that the danger of condoning criminality was that the people suffered the consequences, saying that it does no one any good.
“What you condone is what you tolerate, what you tolerate is what will destroy you”, Ajunwa said.
He disclosed that the Army will always engage and listen to the people in its bid to secure the nation, especially as Nigeria’s insecurity was from internal and not external sources.
In a welcome address, the Chief of Civil-Military Affairs, Maj. Gen. Gold Chibuisi said the event was one of the non-kinetic approaches by the Army towards securing the Nigerian nation.
Chibuisi disclosed that the aim of the forum was to gather ideas and suggestions that would help to improve the operational activities of the Army.
The Army chief said, “Insecurity is an ill wind that blows no one any good because anything that you don’t address will become a cancer.
“Over the years, the components of our security landscape have evolved from the traditional threats to more sophisticated issues that have made us all stakeholders in the pursuit of national security objectives.
“I dare say that while the Nigerian Army and other security agencies may be primary respondents to the security threats across the country, a collective effort by all law-abiding Nigerians is required to decimate our mutual adversary.
“I want to let you know that your perspectives, ideas, and contributions are invaluable in shaping its outcome,” Chibuisi said.
On his part, the Chairman of the Council of Traditional Rulers and Community Policing in Imo State, Eze Emmanuel Okeke, said the forum was timely and that communities in the state will continue to collaborate with security agencies in the fight against crimes.
The acting chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria, Imo State chapter, Rev Uzoma Uzoeshi, advocated seven measures to achieve peaceful co-existence and a crime-free environment in Imo State and Nigeria.
Uzoeshi called for strengthened community engagement, youth entrepreneurship, a strengthened justice system and legal framework; adoption of equity and fairness; enhanced surveillance and monitoring systems to check drug-driven and consumption groups; enhanced surveillance and monitoring; interfaith dialogue; and collaboration with stakeholders, which includes religious, traditional, and socio-economic groups to leverage their influence in promoting peace and security.
PUNCH Online reports that Imo State has been grappling with rising insecurity in recent years, as citizens report frequent kidnappings, armed robbery, and cult activities.
Communities have repeatedly called upon law enforcement and government authorities for stronger protection and a more visible security presence.
The rising insecurity narrative has seen affected communities, like those in Ngor-Okpala LGA, calling on the Commissioner of Police for intervention as they endure repeated kidnappings and threats from unknown gunmen.
These appeals indicate that citizens are not only suffering incidents of crime, but also feel left vulnerable due to inadequate policing and the fear that criminal behaviour is being normalised.
