Chuks Oyema-Aziken
The Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. LEO Irabor has reaffirmed commitment of the Armed Forces of Nigeria to supporting states facing security challenges.
The CDS stated this when he received the Kano State Governor, Abdullahi Ganduje in his office at the Defence Headquarters (DHQ), Abuja.
The CDS stated that the AFN would continue to partner with Forest Guards towards securing the vast forests across the nation.
He also noted that the establishment of training centre in Falgore Forest by the NA was intended to meet the security demand in the area. He commended the Kano state government for providing requisite facilities and structures for the training ground.
He said that “These efforts is fast becoming a model” and urged other state governments to emulate the initiative in order to secure the forest reserves in their states. Gen Irabor pointed out that the AFN undoubtedly remains a veritable tool for the implementation of government policy in the national security architecture.
“We are more along the line of kinetic actions with minimal non-kinetic intervention”, he added.
Earlier, Governor Ganduje solicited increased support from the AFN in securing the state’s forest against banditary and other forms of criminality currently bedeviling the state.
Dr Ganduje stated that his administration is looking forward to stronger ties with the AFN in the area of security, particularly in securing the Falgore forest which he said, has become a hideout for bandits and other criminals. He further noted that the nation’s forests are now safe havens for criminals, who after perpetrating their nefarious activities return to the forest reserves.
The Governor commended the Nigerian Army (NA) for establishing a training centre in the Falgore forest. He added, that this will enable troops take full control of the general area with their consistent presence.
Dr Ganduje commended the CDS for the coordination and synergy among the defence and security agencies since his assumption of command as the CDS.
Attributing some of the security challenges bedeviling the nation to partisan politics, the governor expressed confidence in the Defence Chief to succeed in the task of ensuring national security.
The Governor further informed the CDS that adequate cooperation and cordiality exist among the AFN, security agencies and paramilitary organisations in Kano state. He revealed that the state government is equally deploying technology to curtail insecurity within Kano metropolis, adding that community policing in the state is also yielding positive results as anticipated.
The Governor expressed his condolences to the AFN on the demise of the late former Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Ibrahim Attahiru and ten other personnel, as well as other fallen heroes of the AFN who paid the supreme price for the peace and unity of Nigeria.
