Brutality: Makinde Lauds Army For Fishing Out Errant Soldiers

Oyo State Governor, Mr Seyi Makinde has lauded the General Officer Commanding of 2 Division of Nigeria Army, Major General Anthony Omozoje, for his prompt action in fishing out the soldiers who allegedly flogged a lady and shaved the heads of some youths in the Bere area of Ibadan.

The governor, according to a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Taiwo Adisa, gave the commendation on Thursday at the inauguration of the 2 Division Officers’ Transit Camp at the Adekunle Fajuyi Cantonment, Odogbo, Ibadan.

The governor urged the leadership of the army to continue to speak and act against maltreatment of civilians and any act of indiscipline among its officers and soldiers.

Makinde said, “You must always make it clear that people who act outside appropriate rules of conduct are meant to pay for their errors. It is our prayer that we continue to dwell and live at peace with one another.”

He added that the prompt action taken by the army authorities against the errant soldiers helped to restore law and order and the people’s trust in the ‘Operation Burst.’

He said the recent challenges between security agencies and the public had made it clear that it is only through professionalism that such challenges can be surmounted.

 “Let me also use this opportunity to thank members of the Nigerian Army in Oyo State, who, as part of Operation Burst, stepped in to maintain law and order and avert crisis in our state in the last few weeks. We thank you very much,” the governor stated.

Makinde also lauded the army for the performances of it’s officers and soldiers deployed in Edo and Ondo states for the conduct of the governorship elections in the two states.

He said, “Well, let me also use this opportunity to thank the GOC [General Officer Commanding] and his team here. I was in Edo State to monitor the Edo Governorship Election and I was also in Ondo State. And I stand here to acknowledge the professionalism of the officers and men of the Nigerian Army posted to those places for the purposes of the election duties.

“I will urge you to please keep it up. This is about the only hope that we have as a country. It is the only institution that has been nationalistic.

“Well, we know that things are not rosy between the security personnel and the citizens in general right now, but I will continue to reiterate that it is through professional conduct that we can get the trust level up.”