By Adewole Kehinde
“Synergy is better than my way or your way. It’s our way”, Stephen Covey
A positive relationship between the police and the army contributes to public confidence and trust in the security forces.
When these two institutions work together effectively, it creates a sense of safety and stability within communities, fostering a harmonious relationship between citizens and the security apparatus.
A society’s most important component is security. The value of a country is correlated with its level of security.
Nigeria has established agencies at every turn to guarantee both internal security and defence against outside attacks.
There is a significant obstacle among these establishments tasked with overseeing the country’s security framework: there appears to be an impenetrable barrier between various law enforcement organizations, hindering their ability to collaborate effectively in the field. One side appears to exude superiority, while the other appears to exude inferiority.
On Sunday, I read a press statement from the FCT Police Public Relations Officer, SP Josephine Adeh, titled “BREAKING: FCT POLICE RESCUES BWARI KIDNAPPED VICTIMS, REUNITES VICTIMS WITH FAMILY”
It read, “Following the relentless advancement of the Federal Capital Territory Police Command Anti-Kidnapping squad in a concerted effort with troops of the Nigerian Army, on the heels of the kidnappers that struck the Zuma 1 area in the Bwari Area Council on the 2nd of January 2024, The FCT Police has rescued the victims and reunited them with their families.
“The operatives successfully rescued the Victims around Kajuru forest in Kaduna state at about 11:30 pm on Saturday 20th January 2024.
“While appreciating the Inspectors General of Police IGP Olukayode Egbetokun Ph.D., NPM, for the deployment of the newly commissioned Special Intervention Squad, which has given an uplift to the existing security architecture of the FCT and has brewed public confidence, the Commissioner of Police FCT Command CP Haruna G. Garba psc , wishes to reiterate the Commands commitment to sustaining the robust security deployment made in the area and other parts of the Territory for the utmost maintenance of peace for all and sundry.
About an hour later, I got what seemed to be a rejoinder from the Nigeria Army on a media platform that read, “FACT-CHECK: NIGERIAN ARMY, NOT POLICE, CONDUCTED SUCCESSFUL RESCUE OF ABUJA KIDNAPPED VICTIMS
“In a detailed fact-checking exercise, the Zagazola Makama has ascertained that recent reports claiming the involvement of the Nigeria Police Force in the rescue of kidnapped victims in Bwari are inaccurate. The operation, which took place on January 20, was exclusively carried out by the Nigerian Army’s 197 Special Forces Battalion, contradicting the police’s narrative of events.
“Troops involved in the operation have provided a comprehensive account backed with pictorial evidence embedded with coordinate data of the rescue mission near Gurara Dam in Kachia LGA, which was based on intelligence received at 2200 hours (10 pm)
“Zagazola authoritatively learnt that the troops swiftly responded and located 12 individuals – three adult females, two female children, and seven male children – who had been left by their captors. The army’s intervention was prompt and precise, with the military personnel dominating the area and ensuring the safety of the rescued parties.
“Furthermore, the report from the army indicates that the troops encountered an ambush by suspected bandits while returning with the rescued individuals. Despite the sudden attack, the soldiers managed to suppress the threat without incurring any casualties among both the rescue team and the victims.
My question to the Nigerian Army is “How do you rescue those who have been left by the captors? I am very aware of the Police efforts in tracking the kidnappers to their locations and the pressure from the intelligent unit of the police led to the abandoning of their victims.
We all know that the Nigeria Police must fight crimes, and criminality and ensure the maintenance of law and order vis-a-vis peaceful co-existence in society.
The Nigerian Army’s combat duties include defending the country against external threats, suppressing internal insurrections, and maintaining law and order.
If there is no synergy among all security agencies in this crusade, what then are we talking about? The bandits and terrorists can only take advantage of their disunity and mutual distrust to wax stronger.
The police and other pertinent security institutions, particularly the army, must work together to combat insurgencies and other emerging security crises on a global scale.
To ensure effective synergy between the Nigeria Police and the Nigerian Army, it is important to promote collaboration, communication, and coordination between the two organizations.
It is worth mentioning that both the Nigeria Police Force and the Nigerian Army play crucial roles in ensuring the security and well-being of the Nigerian people. While clashes between them have occurred, it is important to focus on the larger objective of maintaining peace and stability in the country.
■ Adewole Kehinde is the publisher of Swift Reporters and can be reached via 08166240846, kennyadewole@gmail.com
