23rd February, 2016
Cyriacus Izuekwe
The Nigerian military and the Lagos State Police Command have reiterated their commitment and readiness to partner in the areas of improving security of lives and property of the residents in Lagos State, western Nigeria.
This was stated on Monday by the Acting Chief of Defence of the Military Intelligence Unit, General S. J. Davis during a meeting with the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, CP Fatai Owoseni at the State Police Command Headquarters in Ikeja.
Gen Davis who visited Owoseni with some senior military officers, said they were in Lagos State to assess the security architecture in place and to work towards improving the security situation in the state through intelligence gathering and information sharing among other security organs in the state.
Davis noted the existing cordial relationship between the military and the police on security in the past and said there was need to continue the partnership for effective security management.
He solicited the cooperation of the police in the state and formally introduced the Commandant of the Military Intelligence in Lagos State, Brigadier General Belanus Biu, to Owoseni.
On the issues of human rights abuses and possible usurpation of police statutory duties by the military, Davis said there would be no such thing.
He explained that the military would only complement and assist the police to improve on securityin the state through intelligence gathering and sharing.
On human right abuses, Gen Davis said the military have acquired training on how to deal with the civilians and stated that the issue of human rights abuses will be minimal or non existent.
Responding, CP Owoseni commended Davis and his entourage for their visit and promised to partner with them for effective security management in the state.
He also noted that the police had been working with the other security organs in the past including the military in the areas of intelligence and operational strategy for effective performance in the state.
He assured that he would work with the military officers deployed to ensure that there is adequate security in the state.
On the issue of the role of the security organs in the discharge of their duties, Owoseni said every organ has its rules of engagement as stipulated in the constitution which such organ is bound to work with.
He expressed his confidence that the partnership would work and called for cooperation of both security agencies for effective performance in the state.
The event which was also attended by some senior police officers and members of the press, progressed into a closed door session.