By Collins Dupson, 28th December, 2021
Ondo State Chairman of the Retired Army, Navy, Airforce Officers Association, Major Abayomi Olawoyin (Rtd) has disclosed that, Retired Service Men have major roles to play in tackling insecurity in Nigeria.
He stated this while chatting with the PATH at the Association’s Secretariat in Oba-ile Akure.
Major Olawoyin said the ex service men legion have highly experienced retired men who could be of assistance to the Ministry of Defence but can only act if their service are requested for by the authority. ” We can only act if authority request for our service, if not officers still in active might think we are intruding into their affairs”.
He blamed the past leaders for their lackadaisical attitude to security issues most especially on the poor attitude to education of certain segment of the country, saying the aftermath effects is the insecurity bedevilling the country.
” Fallout of our past failures led to insecurity; we can tackling insecurity by ensuring the basic necessities of life are provided for both the educated and uneducated”.
The Retired Major added that, a focused leader should be thinking of how to tackle insecurity headlog and the best way to overcome it is by providing employment for the teeming unemployed population comprising of the youths.
He further said the Nigeria is ripe for State and Community Policing considering the security challenges that has engulfed every part of the country.
” National consciousness is no longer fashionable in Nigeria of today; Nigerians tend to only think of themselves, families, immediate community and region. For our country to tackle insecurity, we must jettison all selfish tendencies and see ourselves as one Nigeria”.
The Retired Major commended the giant strides of Amotekun Security Networks in tackling insecurity in Ondo State, noting that their activities in the state has reduced kidnapping, armed robbery and other criminal activities, charging the government to further equipped the agency and provide necessary backing for the them.
Speaking on the withdrawal of Army from Check point in the state, Olawoyin said Army has no business be at Check point, saying internal security is the duty of Nigerian Police and not that of Army.
He condemned act of indiscipline associated with some military men at the check point, saying those men are no longer on the road to check vehicle but checking their pockets which is against the rules of military engagement.
He charged Army authority to always cater for the welfare of its personnel for better and effective service delivery in their line of duties.
