Army Chief Urges Imo Residents to Reject Criminality, Calls for Collective Security Action
The Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, has urged residents of Imo State to stop condoning criminality, warning that tolerance for lawlessness fuels insecurity in communities.
Oluyede made the call during a key stakeholders’ engagement forum themed “Taking the Nigerian Army to the Communities”, held on Thursday in Owerri, the Imo State capital.
Represented by the Special Guest of Honour, Maj. Gen. Obinna Ajunwa, the Army Chief said joint efforts between citizens and security agencies were vital to addressing the nation’s security challenges.
He cautioned that harbouring criminals only worsens community suffering, adding, “What you condone is what you tolerate, what you tolerate is what will destroy you.”
Ajunwa explained that the Nigerian Army was adopting a more inclusive approach by engaging directly with communities, noting that most of the nation’s security threats were internal.
In his welcome address, the Chief of Civil-Military Affairs, Maj. Gen. Gold Chibuisi, described the forum as part of the Army’s non-kinetic strategy to strengthen security through community collaboration.
“Insecurity is an ill wind that blows no one any good because anything that you don’t address will become a cancer,” he said.
Chibuisi noted that Nigeria’s evolving security landscape demanded that all citizens play an active role in supporting the nation’s security objectives.
He added, “While the Nigerian Army and other security agencies may be primary respondents to the security threats across the country, a collective effort by all law-abiding Nigerians is required to decimate our mutual adversary. I want to let you know that your perspectives, ideas, and contributions are invaluable in shaping its outcome.”
Chairman of the Imo State Council of Traditional Rulers and Community Policing, Eze Emmanuel Okeke, commended the Army for the initiative, describing the forum as timely.
He pledged continued collaboration between communities and security agencies to combat crime.
Also speaking, the acting chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Imo State, Rev. Uzoma Uzoeshi, outlined seven measures for achieving peace and curbing criminality.
These, he said, include strengthened community engagement, youth entrepreneurship, an improved justice system, fairness and equity in governance, enhanced surveillance systems to check drug-related groups, interfaith dialogue, and collaboration among religious, traditional, and socio-economic stakeholders.
Imo State has in recent years faced a surge in insecurity, with residents reporting incidents of kidnapping, armed robbery, and cult violence.
Communities, including those in Ngor-Okpala Local Government Area, have appealed for greater police presence and government intervention amid fears that criminal activities are becoming normalised.
