Enugu Governor Lauds Army For Improved Security, Peace

Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State has commended the Nigerian army for its support, dedication and commitment in providing security in Enugu State especially as the state banned Monday’s sit-at-home.

This was even as the Army reiterated that security could only get better given the level of resources and manpower deployed in the state, assuring citizens of their safety as they go about their businesses.

The governor gave the commendation when the new General Officer Commanding (GOC), 82 Division of the Nigerian Army, Enugu, Major General Hassan Dada, paid him familiarization visit at the Government House on Tuesday.

Mbah commended the security agencies, especially the Nigerian Army for improved security and end to sit-at-home in the state, assuring that his administration would not let the officers down.

He said the improved security would aid his administration’s promise to grow the state’s economy in an unprecedented manner, as the growth was going to come from the private sector investment.

“But one thing that is key is that private sector investment will not happen if we do not have peace and security and that was why when we took over, we immediately identified the security challenge and the sit-at-home as the big elephants in the room.

“We recognised that the continual Monday sit-at-home was not only creating this perception of insecurity in our state, but it was also doing so much damage to our psychology as a people, our social wellbeing and our economy.

“We moved against it and made a pronouncement to put an end to Monday sit-at-home,” Mbah said.

The governor said the state had enjoyed tremendous support in not only getting the various security agencies to buy into the end to sit-at-home, but also in getting them to deploy enough security to ensure the protection of lives and property, particularly with respect to the enforcers of the illegal sit-at-home.

“So, I want to immediately put on record our profound appreciation and our immense gratitude for the support, dedication, and commitment we have continued to receive from the military, particularly the army, in our quest to have a peaceful and secure Enugu State.

“We want to thank you in particular because of the sort of dedication and commitment we have witnessed in you and we must also by extension express our profound gratitude to the Chief of Army Staff for bringing you here.

Mbah, however, enjoined the military and the security agencies not to rest on their oars, adding that having lost the battle the criminals that hitherto terrorized the people had now resorted to social media propaganda.

“We cannot at this point rest on our oars and we cannot assume that these opportunistic foes will just sit back and relax.

“We enjoin you and your team to remain vigilant because it is not yet time to Uhuru. We are still at our highest alert level until we are completely sure that these criminals are nowhere close to our state.

“On our part, we want to assure you that as a government, we are going to continue to collaborate with you and other security agencies to ensure that we sustain this relative peace and security,” Mbah said.

Speaking earlier, General Dada commended Mbah for leading the charge against insecurity and illegal sit-at-home, saying the Army and the security agencies, had restored security in Enugu State through the governor’s support.

The GOC, who was accompanied by the Army high command in the South East said: “Let me assure you that with the support of my bosses, the Chief of Army Staff and the Chief of Defence Staff, things can only but get better”.

Our correspondent reports that since the ban on Monday’s sit-at-home in Enugu by Gov. Mbah, military has been deployed to the strategic places in the state to ensure that lives and property are protected.