Jonathan tasks Nigerian Army on security threats

PRESIDENTGoodluckJonathan has charged the Nigerian Army to intensify efforts with other security agencies to find new ways of addressing the security challenges facing the nation.The president gave the charge at the opening of the Chief of Army Staff Annual Conference 2011 on Tuesday in Benin City, the Edo State capital.This came as the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant- General Azubike Ihejirika, said the army recognised the emerging challenge of terrorism in the country and had adopted robust measures that would help to checkmate the activities of terrorist groups and other criminal elements in the country.Lieutenant-General Ihejirika, who also spoke at the opening of the Chief of Army Staff Annual Conference 2011 on Tuesday in Benin City, said the army was aware of the need to adopt new approaches to deal with the current challenges in recognition of the unconventional nature of security threats in the country.President Jonathan, represented by the Minister of Defence, Dr Bello Haliru Mohammed said, 'I am particularly impressed with your choice of the theme for the conference, which is, 'The Nigerian Army in the National Transformation Agenda.' It is an indication of the army being abreast with issues of national concern and currency.'According to the president, 'the spate of violent crimes in parts of the country, including kidnapping, armed robbery, bombings and threats from the activities of the Boko Haram sect are contemporary security challenges facing our nation.'These threats demand an integrated approach from all the security agencies in order to effectively curb them and create a conducive atmosphere for economic activities to thrive in the affected areas. The Nigerian Army must, therefore, intensify its efforts (in conjunction with other security agencies) to devise new innovative ways to address these challenges.'The Chief of Army Staff also spoke of the army's recognition of the need for a healthy civil-military relations and that a Department of Civil-Military Affairs had been set up to foster more harmonious relations with the civil society.Lieutenant General Ihejirika expressed gratitude to Nigerians for the valuable information they had provided in aid of the operations of the army, urging them to continue in the same way.
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