L-R: Secretary to Ekiti State Government, Alhaji (Dr) Ganiyu Owolabi; Chief of Staff, 32 Artillery Brigade, Akure, Col. Mohammed Zubairu; Ekiti State Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi; the Brigade Commander, Brigadier General Mohammed Dan-Ali; and Command Liaison Officer, Lt. Kenneth Ezenwa, during a courtesy visit by the Artillery Commander to the Governor, in Ado-Ekiti... on Monday.
Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi has assured residents of the state of better security of lives and property as efforts of the Nigeria Police and other security agencies are being consolidated with the presence of the Nigerian Army.
Receiving the new Commander of the 32 Artillery Brigade, Akure, Brigadier-General Mansur Mohammed Dan-Ali on Monday in his office, the Governor condemned last week’s armed robbery attack on a Bank in Ilasa Ekiti, saying that though the state has been peaceful, efforts of security agencies needed to be consolidated to prevent a re-occurrence.
Fayemi expressed delight at the establishment of the new Artillery Brigade that will now oversee both Ondo and Ekiti states, saying that this would help in manning the gateway towns in the state against opportunistic attacks from criminals.
He added that though the Nigerian Army was going through some challenges, it still remains one of the most professional militaries in Africa and the world, given its various activities hence the call by both Ondo and Ekiti states for the expansion of the military presence in both states.
“It couldn’t have arrived at a much better time, only last week we faced what I would consider an unusual encounter in our State. Ekiti is known as one of the very peaceful states in Nigeria and when we have occasional opportunistic attacks by armed robbers of the type that we had in Ilasa, it calls attention to the need for reinforced support for the Police. The Police would always try its very best but we do need a form of military support reinforcement to that effort, particularly in an era where police no longer have patrols all around the State”, he said.
While assuring that Ekiti State will give adequate support to the take-off of the Artillery Brigade, Fayemi urged the Commander to deploy soldiers to police the gateway towns in the state ahead of the establishment of the Army Regiment that is being proposed for Ekiti State.
Earlier in his speech, Brig-Gen Mansur Mohammed Dan-Ali had lauded the support of the Ekiti State Government to the Army, saying that the new formation would enhance not only the socio-economic development of both states but also the security of lives and property as soldiers would be involved in routine regimental activities within the States.
He promised that the new Artillery would not fail in playing its constitutional role of providing assistance to civil authority.
“The 32 Artillery is more than prepared to assist in providing security for Ekiti and adjourning states which are operationally under the command of this Brigade. The military units in Benin, Okitipupa and the proposed unit in Ekiti State would be under my operational control for internal security”, he said.
Last modified: May 28, 2012