The Brigade Commander, 32 Artillery Brigade of the Nigerian Army, Brigadier General Zakari Logun Abubakar, has declared that the protection of corps members serving in Ondo State remains the priority of his command.
According to the Army Chief, Nigerian Army had a duty to protect and safeguard the scheme established by the foremost security agency in the country.
“Let me tell you that we have mapped out intelligence strategy to ensure that corps members that would be participating in the gubernatorial election coming up in October in all the nooks and crannies of the state can be assured of maximum protection from the 32 Artillery Brigade, Akure”.
General Abubakar who spoke while receiving the Ondo State National Youth Service Corprs, NYSC, Coordinator, Mrs. Grace Akpabio at the Owena Cantonment, Headquarters of the Command disclosed that they had identified flashpoints in the state and that his team was ready to ensure that scientific and tactical approach were employed to ensure that the peace of the state was not threatened during the election.
The Army General hinted that the headship of all military formations under the 2nd Division, Nigerian Army, Ibadan, met with the General Officer Commanding, Major General Anthony Omozojie, to map out strategy for both Edo and Ondo states gubernatorial election respectively.
“NYSC and the Nigerian Army have long standing relationship. The scheme is an integral part of the Nigerian Army and we cannot treat any matters relating to NYSC as less important,” he said.
He gave the assurance that his command would continue to synergise with other security agencies to make sure that members of the service corps operated in the state without fear or trepidation.
“We shall continue to partner with other security agencies to protect the corps members. By our training and operational vantage position, we have the capabilities and what it takes to make corps members serve the nation under protective environment.”
The combatant officer applauded the state coordinator “for effectively coordinating the affairs of the NYSC in Ondo State.”
“Madam, you are doing a very good and great job in moulding and mentoring the youths and younger ones. Some of your corps members serving in the barracks have attested to this by their excellent conduct which they attributed to your organisational and administrative competence,” he said.
The NYSC Ondo State Coordinator, Akpabio sought audience with Abubakar to express the concern of the Director General of NYSC, Brigadier General Shuaibu Ibrahim, over the safety of corps members that would be engaged by INEC in the forthcoming governorship election in Ondo State.
Akpabio reiterated the commitment of the NYSC boss on the need for the command to do everything legally within her sphere of influence to keep an eagle eye on the corps members not only during the elections but throughout their service year.
She recognised and appreciated the priority attention the Brigade Commander accorded all the matters relating to NYSC in Ondo State.
