Army to engage retired officers to tackle insecurity in northeast

The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Lucky Irabor, has said the Army would engage retired military officers to tackle insecurity in the northeast.

He disclosed this on Tuesday at a one-day interactive session with retired senior officers from the north-eastern zone held at the 23 Armoured Brigade in Yola, Adamawa State.

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“It is part of the reason why I am here with my team, to interact with our retired senior colleagues to look for holistic solutions about how to bring to an end the insecurity in the region.

“We believe that as we interact and engage them, they will be ready to open up to us in areas that will enhance security, also be able to tell us areas of our mistakes and for us to make corrections,” he said.

He stressed that the solution to security challenges in the northeast lies with the people of the northeast.

“We believe that principally, the solution to the northeast problem will be largely dependent on the inputs of those who come from the region.

“Also, we believe that in the coming days, security will improve and be better in the region and Nigeria at large,” he added.

Earlier, Maj.-Gen. Ibrahim Alli, GOC, 3 Division, who was represented by Aminu Garba, Commander, 23 Armoured Brigade, Yola said: “I believe no one is happy with the current situation. The interactive session is for us to look at you to speak to us on the exact issues.

“We believe there are issues that we have not actually viewed in the manner you look at it.

“And being men of proven integrity and experience, we believe you have the desire and will to turn around the fortunes of the zone, where every one of us will be happy,” he said.