By Goodluck Ikiebe.
The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Lucky Irabor says the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) is reviewing its operational engagements in the various theatres in order to bring peace in troubled parts of the country.
Gen. Irabor disclosed this this at the 6th edition of the CDS security parley with military veterans tagged, “CDS Interactive Session with Retired Senior Military Officers in the South South Geo-political zone” at 63 Brigade, Nigerian Army, Asaba, Delta state.
The CDS said that the security parley, flagged-off in the South West, had been worthwhile, successful and beneficial to the AFN, noting that several topical issues emanated from all the geo-political zones to guide the military high command in reviewing its operational doctrines and plans.
Gen Irabor said, “Interaction is a continuous process, so much value has emerged from the interactive session with our retired senior officers, and we are going to leverage on the success and benefit to improve on security and safety of lives and properties.”
The Defence Chief further noted that the operational engagements of DELTA SAFE, in synergy with other internal security arrangement were impacting on the peculiar security challenges-which are illegal oil bunkering, piracy, among others, adding that the security disposition in the South-South (SS) region would continue to get better.
He further explained that the parley would focus on engaging critical stakeholders such as royal fathers, some of whom are equally retired senior officers and among other participants to take some tip bits arising from the interaction in sensitizing their subjects.
The CDS assured that the AFN would continue to foster the right ambience for other stakeholders in order to holistically combat the myriad of security in the region.
He added, “There are other engagements that are holding behind the scene.
” As we have assessed that kinetic efforts are only a part of the solution, there are non-kinetic approaches which form part of the engagement that is focused on the holistic solutions to the challenges in the Niger Delta region, according to him.
The Chief of Defence Civil Military Cooperation (CDCIMIC), Rear Admiral Fredrick Ogu, in his remarks, said as stakeholders in the defence and security sector, the retired senior officers were in a vintage disposition to understand the array of security issues in their domain.
He added that they could offer professional counsel on likely strategies to adopt in tackling the security threats.
The CDCIMIC further disclosed that myriad of security issues in the nation and those specific to each geo-political zone were x-rayed, adding that the outcome of the engagement with the veterans was rewarding.
He listed the heightened insecurity in the SS zone to be attacks on local communities, piracy, militia attacks, cultism, oil theft, vandalizing of critical national assets, sabotage, high sea robbery, kidnapping and other sundry crimes.
Earlier in his address of welcome, the General Officer Commanding, 6 Division, Nigerian Army, Maj,- Gen. Sani Mohammed, lauded the initiative by the CDS in mooting the idea where senior serving and retired military officers were able to gather to brainstorm on a collective approach towards enhancing operational performance of the military in the SS region.
Prominent among the participants were the former Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State, Rear Admiral Gboribiogha Jonah (rtd) and the former CDS, Gen Alexander Ogomudia (rtd).
The Royal fathers in attendance include: His Royal Highness (HRH), Maj,-Gen Felix Mujakperuo (rtd), HRH Air Vice Marshal (AVM), Lucky Ararile (rtd) and HRH Brig,- Gen. Bright Fiboinumama (rtd).
The Chief of Defence Intelligence (CDI), Maj,- Gen. Samuel Adebayo, Director General,Defence Research and Development Bureau, AVM Peter Uzezi, Flag Officer Commanding (FOC) Central Naval Command, Rear Admiral Kennedy Egbuchulam, FOC Logistics Command, Rear Admiral Sileranda Lassa and the Air Officer Commanding Mobility Command, AVM Ali Bello, were among the top military brass that graced the security parley.
The major activities that took place during the closed door sessions at the one-day parley in all the six geo-political zones was the CDI’s brief on the general security threats being experienced in each of the zone.
A group/syndicates’ presentations on the assigned thematic areas were delivered by the retired senior officers, while the “A” Team Unique Professional Limited, a Consultant to Defence Headquarters and facilitators of the CDS security parley, anchored the interactive sessions.
