Insecurity: Citizens’ incorrect perception dampens military morale — CDS

By Adeleye Kunle

General Lucky Irabor, the Chief of Defense Staff, has reiterated the importance of citizens not viewing the military as an enemy of the state, claiming that doing so demoralizes the armed forces and impedes the fight against insecurity.

According to General Irabor, the armed forces and other security agencies, such as the police, are a tool of the state for governance, hence the need for citizens’ support.

The CDS, who delivered a paper titled “Strengthening Local Governance in Nigeria: The Role of the Armed Forces” at the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies, NIPSS, Kuru, Plateau State, said: “If we have a wrong perception of the armed forces and others, it is like working against oneself; it is time to rewrite the story and put it in proper perspective.”

“We should regard the military as the armed forces that meet Nigeria’s yearning and aspiration as stipulated in the Federal Republic of Nigeria’s Constitution.”

“It is not for anyone to see them as men and women in occupational forces; rather, they are men and women working for the good of the nation.” The same is true for other government agencies. As a result, the incorrect impression and perception must change, which is why we must advocate for a change in perception.

“Things must change, and we must escalate our relationship with the public in order to bring insecurity to a halt.”

He went on to say that the military would rebuild public trust in the face of public mistrust, saying, “I made clear the role of the armed forces in strengthening governance, this is what we have been doing over the years by strengthening the security ambience…”

The CDS denied that terrorists had taken over any space in the country, saying, “There is no space in which the terrorists have taken over, of course there are some illegalities that some criminals are perpetrating, but that doesn’t mean they have taken over, rather we have punctured them.” There have been reversals in the last two or three weeks, and we will continue to strengthen it.”

However, NIPSS Director-General Professor Ayo Omotayo stated that security is the foundation of everything in the country.

“The participants have gone through many engagements and interactions,” he continued, “and there is nothing anyone can do without a good security environment.”

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