THE General Officer Commanding 1st  Mechanised Division of the Nigerian Army,  Kaduna, Major General Garba  O.  Wahab,  has admitted  that the army is being overstretched by the prevailing security situation in the country, following its involvement in the internal security operations to counter the current wave of terrorism in the country.

The GOC, who stated this in Minna, on Friday, in an interactive session with newsmen, during a courtesy visit to the Niger State governor, Dr Muazu Babangida Aliyu, at his private residence, emphasised that the engagement of the army in the internal security operations  does not mean that it is not performing its duty. He said that the army is totally committed to the security of the country, both in internal and external security.

“What we are enjoined to do is to protect the territorial integrity of Nigeria and territorial integrity does not only mean attacks from outside alone; it could be from within. But in doing that, we know our bounds and we know our responsibilities. We are only out to support the civil authority and not to be in charge of the entire operation. So, we are out to support the civil government, including other security agencies and the Police, in bringing the situation under control.

“Yes, we are stretched, like any other country that is involved in internal security operation or counter- terrorism. That is not to say we cannot perform our duty, we are still performing our jobs and that is why we are still telling people that we are out in support of these security operations,” he stated.

He maintained that the army is on top of the security situation in the country but admitted that the army alone cannot do the job as it will need the co-operation of the civil populace, adding that “without the support of the Nigerian civil populace it is going to be difficult because we need information to be able to perform our duties.”

He argued that areas under his division are not the most volatile with exception of places like Kano and Kogi, but that notwithstanding, the army is very much on top of the situation, stressing that “That is why in Kano State we have been able to isolate areas like Hotoro Quarters and in Kogi we have been able to also isolate Okene, but don’t forget that what we are doing in Kogi State has to do more with armed robbery rather than terrorism.”

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