Army, Police Pledge Inter-Agency Cooperation To Crush Insurgency In  The North East

Masoyi Lusa

The Nigerian military and Nigeria  Police  have reiterated their commitment for increased cooperation to confront the insurgency  in the North East.

The two disclosed this in Bauchi at the weekend  when the Assistant Inspector General (AIG) in charge of zone 12 Bauchi, Mr. Tunde Ogunsakin paid a courtesy call to the commandant of the 33 Artillery Brigade, Shadawanka Military Cantonement Bauchi‎.

In a statement issued by the Brigade’s Assistant Director, Army Public Relations,‎ Captain Jonah Danjuma, it said the AIG noted that in all the places he worked in the past, he worked closely with the military and he believed that they are working on the same role of safeguarding the lives and properties of the people.

“Since assumption of duty a couple of weeks ago, I found it expedient to pay a courtesy call to the brigade. Aside that, I need to be here with you to have firsthand knowledge of what is happening in this terrain and also appraise the level of cooperation and collaboration existing between our sister agencies, “he said.

He enjoined the military and the police to continue building up the cooperation existing between them and other sister agencies‎ adding that their cooperation will go a long way in ensuring security in the country.

Ogunsakin stated that with the current challenges in the North East, it is important for security agencies including the military and the police to work together in order to stem the challenges of insurgency and other security challenges.

“I have always said that, if you are posted to this part of the country at this material time, it shows that you have something to offer,” he added.

Responding, commandant of the 33 Artillery Brigade,  Brig.Gen. Abraham Dusu said that inter-agency cooperation is a key to confront security challenges facing the North East in particular and the country in general.

He said that, no agency can do it alone adding that the police as well as other sister security agencies have their area of specialisation and have to collaborate and work together to achieve their aim.

Dusu said that the major challenge in the North East is the Boko Haram insurgency adding that with the pressure on the frontline states, there is always a possibility of the terrorists moving into states nearby which made the Brigade to tighten road blocks and intensify searches at various points.

The commandant added that recent reports have indicated that there is also the emerging trend in cattle rustling and kidnapping which has attained a disturbing dimension.

He however lamented that the cases were hardly reported to the authorities by the victims or their relatives untill a ransom is paid.

He therefore called on the public to promptly report cases of kidnappings and cattle rustling to the authorities for prompt action.

He stated that Inter-Agency relationship has been going on smoothly between the military, police and all other sister security agencies.

He further called on all the agencies to do more in the reduction of friction between sister security agencies in their areas of operations.

He further assured the AIG of military’s continued cooperation and synergy adding that the military will continue referring all civil cases to the police for dispensation while terrorism related cases will according to him be handled through the Nigerian Army Internal Mechanism.