By Richard Elesho
Against the background of the current security situation in Kogi State, the Commander, 12 Brigade, Nigerian Army, Lokoja, Brig. Gen. Kasim Umar-Sidi, has assured that the Army would continue to do its best to ensure that bandits terrorizing the state are dealt with, to enable the people to live peacefully.
Umar-Sidi stated this on Tuesday while addressing the executive members of the Correspondents Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Kogi State Council, during a courtesy call on him in his office.
While urging Nigerians to support security agencies to enable them to perform their statutory obligations, the Commander noted that branding Nigeria as a disgraced nation and a country of concern because of its security challenges is discouraging to the gallant soldiers staking their lives to defend the country.
“Our officers and men are being killed in the sacrifice we make to keep this nation safe for the citizens. Any negative perception or report against our men or the military in general dampens their morale.
“Therefore, people should not view issues through the prism of religion, as it cannot help us move forward as a nation,” he stated.
Umar-Sidi, who is the fifth Commander of the 12 Brigade, also advised Nigerians that, “Whenever there are challenges, we should, as a people, put our heads together to see how best we can solve them for the growth and development of the country.
“Nigeria is for all of us, and we don’t have another country we can call our own. Therefore, we should put this nation first above any personal interest so that this challenge of insecurity can be tackled.”
He commended the Correspondents’ EXCO for the courtesy visit and pledged the command’s readiness to partner with the chapel toward the dissemination of the 12 Brigade Nigerian Army’s activities to the general public.
Earlier in his remarks, the Chairman of the Chapel, Comrade Segun Ademola Salami of Channels Television, told the Commander that the EXCO was in his office to solicit partnership toward publicizing the efforts being made to secure the people of Kogi State.
Salami said that the military, especially the 12 Brigade Command, was doing a lot in Kogi in dealing with kidnappers, bandits, and terrorists, but such achievements are underreported.
“I want to assure you that the Correspondents Chapel is very ready to partner with you and give the command the desired publicity,” he stated.
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