By Sarah NEGEDU
The FCT Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Olusola Odumosu, has called for improved working relationship among the lower rungs of the Nigerian Military and those of other paramilitary agencies.
Specifically, the Commandant believes that sustained collaboration between junior military officers and those of the NSCDC, will help address some of the security challenges in the country.
Odumosu, made the call when he paid a courtesy visit to the Acting Guards Brigade Commander, Col. Olusegun Adebisi Onasanya, at the Headquarters Guards Brigade, Abuja.
The Commandant, while appreciating the existing synergy between the Civil Defence and the Nigeria Army on one hand, noted that, while there is an increasing friendship and good bonding between senior officers in the military and other paramilitary agencies, same should be encouraged among the junior cadres in a progressive fashion till a full synergy is attained.
He condemned the rivalry occasionally experienced among security agencies and encouraged more collaboration for effective security coverage of the country.
“If we at our levels can enjoy so much cooperation and synergy, there’s a need to pass the same information to the lower rungs of the ladder too.
“My visit to you is more or less to fulfill customs and traditions. As far as I am concerned, we already have a good working relationship and I am enjoying maximum cooperation and synergy from you already.
“However, the visit is also an opportunity for me and my men to get acquainted with your men and familiarize with one another as we shall be meeting on the field in the course of our job”, he added.
Odumosu, while commending the Nigerian Army for its maturity and camaraderie which has resulted in a long standing relationship with the NSCDC, noted that the Civil Defence Corps owed its evolution to the Military especially the Nigerian Army.
The Commandant solicited more collaboration in the areas of operations and training for his men from the Brigade of Guards Commander. He reiterated that, with more training and retraining programs in place, all security agencies in the sub-sector will be able to operate and cooperate more efficiently without any one lagging behind in latest operational tactics.
Commandant Odumosu said that his mission to making the Federal Capital Territory free of vandals of critical infrastructures such as manhole covers, street lights, traffic lights amongst other criminalities can not be done in isolation of other security agencies, hence, the necessity for the courtesy visit.
In his response, the Brigade of Guard Commander, Col. Olusegun Onasanya, appreciated the courtesy visit and stated that the visit is a mark of continous synergy and interagency collaborations already existing among all the security agencies in the FCT.
He noted that there are already joint operations between the Civil Defence, other paramilitary agencies and the Nigerian Army which has been responsible for the downward trends of crimes and security threats in the FCT.
On the request for training of NSCDC officers, the Brigade Commander said, “If I need to consult, I will consult, If I need to take permission or approval from the top, I will, but the training will be effected”, Onasanya promised.
He assured the FCT Commandant that, from time to time, enlightenment will be intensified among the junior cadres of the Nigerian Army to foster a healthier relationship with the NSCDC and other security agencies so as to enhance a unified front for security of the nation.
