Insecurity: “Our Uniform Does Not Make Us Different From Other Nigerians” – Brig-Gen Oyekola, As LAHA Pledges Collaboration  To Tackle Insecurity

By Akinwale Kasali

The Lagos State House of Assembly has pledged their support for the Nigerian Army in addressing the spate of insecurity in the country.

The Speaker of the House, Hon. Mudashiru Obasa stated that collaboration is targeted at sustaining the peace experienced in the State.

Obasa gave the assurance on Thursday when he received Brigadier General Olawale Matthew Oyekola, 48th Commander of the 9 Brigade of the Nigerian Army, who visited the House of Assembly with his team.

According to the Speaker, the State’s legislature with 40 Lawmakers, is committed to ensuring peace and stability in all the local government areas of Lagos and welcomes every support from the right quarters in this regard.

“I want to assure you of our total support. Our arms are wide open. When you need us, all you have to do is just call on us. We are at the House of Assembly to protect the people’s interests, their rights and ensure they do what they are supposed to do.

“We love peace in Lagos, which you can call a mini-Nigeria. And with your coming, we hope to sustain the peace we have in the State.

“Our interest is to prosper Lagos economically, socio-politically and in infrastructure,” the Speaker said while commending Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu for his policies that have kept the State growing.

He, however, used the opportunity to hail men of the military who, he described as gallant, for their dedication and loyalty to Nigeria. He specially commended the military men tackling insecurities in some parts of the country, particularly in the Northeast.

Brigadier General Oyekola said he was in the House to associate with the representatives of the people of Lagos who he and his men are mandated to protect.

Noting that he was returning to Lagos 20 years after he left the State, he said Lagos is peaceful and that this status needed to be sustained.

He solicited the support of Lagosians for the Army, which he called the third layer of protection with the Nigeria Police Force as the first layer.

“Wearing this uniform does not make us different from the people. We are first civilians before becoming men in uniforms,” he said.

General Oyekola resumed at the Brigade’s Headquarters in Ikeja, Lagos on August 21, 2024 after previously serving as Chief of Staff at the Headquarters of the Joint Task Force (North East) Operation HADIN KAI.