By Princess Simon (Bureau Chief North Central)
Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC), Nigerian Army, Minna has organized a three-day Security Awareness/Seminar for Barracks Community aimed at promoting peaceful co-existence and secure the environment for both the military formations and the larger Nigerian society.
Speaking at the opening ceremony which took place at the TRADOC headquarters, Minna, the Commander, Major-General Stevenson Olugbenga Olabamiji, said the Seminar has become necessary as the security situation in Nigeria calls for a more holistic approach.
“It is no longer news that the nation is grappling with challenges ranging from armed robbery, armed banditry, kidnapping, cattle rustling, insurgency and terrorism amongst others in virtually all across Nigeria’s geo-political zones”. This, and many more, he said, necessitated the training for all Nigerians to be abreast of the security situations and how to check the trend.
“The unique thing about security is that it is everybody’s business even though a great majority of Nigerians are yet to see it through this perspective”, the Commander said, reminding all that the consequences of insecurity are all-encompassing, hence, the need for the seminar.
The increasing security threats, he said, have necessitated not only the deployment of the military and para-military across the country but raised the need for awareness by especially the civilian communities in military formations. “That is why I am deeply convinced that what this seminar put in place today is timely and apt because, charity, they say, begins from home.
“So why the need for security awareness within the barracks, one may be tempted to ask? Is the barracks not supposed to be safe on its own? The seminar is necessary now because the barracks is no longer just a habitation area for military personnel but now a community”.
Major-General Olabamji said that with the diverse nature of the ‘barracks communities’ comprising those who visit barracks to engage in different activities like business, school affairs, farming, and recreational facilities, there is a need for them to be enlightened on how to be security conscious.
While not totally agreeing that the military barracks are the ‘safest’, the TRADOC Commander said the seminar, will, among other things, enlighten the barrack community on some non-negligible security concerns for their safety and that of their immediate families.
With improved enlightenment, General Olabamji said the security situation would have been to a reasonable extent, resolved, especially, petty crimes within the barracks. He, therefore, encouraged participants to make good use of the opportunity for a more secure environment. NNL.
