By Christiana Ekpa
The Chief of Defence Staff, Lt. General Lucky Irabor has said that Sacrifices of various forms including paying the supreme price as well as a cost component to the peace.
The CDS who said this in a goodwill message at the opening of an ongoing special summit on national security organized by the House of Representatives in Abuja, also reiterated the commitment of the armed forces to the promotion and protection of constitutional order in Nigeria.
“If perhaps we look at the component costs of peace, love for country, which of course has made our traditional rulers to extend their hands and be in Abuja to be part of this discussion while everyone here having to leave every other engagement to be here. It is because of the love for the country and patriotism.
“Sacrifices of various forms including paying the supreme price is also a cost component to the peace. This of course is the cause of the death of Attahiru Ibrahim, Lieutenant General and other generals and personnel of the armed forces whose recent death exemplifies.
“We equally have our officers and men on the frontlines in various states of operations that have paid these prices. It is all parts and parcels of the cost of peace,” the CDS said.
General Irhabor added that the role of the military to keep the territorial integrity of Nigeria Cannot be overstated, as its duty to promote conditional order remains key to guaranteeing national security.
“National security seeks to guarantee the safety and wellbeing of the state and its citizens. The armed forces of Nigeria and all other Security agencies are tools of policy implementation on issues of national security.
“I also believed with a very solemn belief and even though we have been talking for a long time, I also believe that, talks cannot be enough. Yes, it is good for us to talk and do what we have spoken about. It is by talking that actions that have been taken are reviewed, and then what has been left undone is pointed out.
“Putting together these various components, we find that, my assertion that peace is very expensive comes very handy. Inconveniences that defines when the security agencies implement some of these policies and guidelines, sometimes it is not convenient for public, it is not convenient for the citizens.
“These inconveniences of course are parts and parcels of the cost for peace. The intention of the police and other security agencies is not to inconvenience the public, but it is for the greater good of the citizens”, the CDS added.
He thanked the National Assembly for its unwavering support in facilitating the activities of the armed forces through appropriation and effective oversight.
Speaking in the same vein, the chairman of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, (NDLEA), Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (rtd), said drug abuse among Nigerian youths forms 70 percent of factors necessitating insecurity.
“I must take this opportunity to state very very clearly, that, there is incontrovertible evidence of a linkage, between drug use and spate of insecurity. Drugs are a clear propellant to the insurgency, banditry, kidnapping and other criminal activities.
“We know that drugs money funds their activities. We have arrested quite a few on their way to supply drugs to the insurgents. Since January, the NDLEA has seized over 2000 tonnes and over N90 billion worth of drugs. Consider what a fraction of that will do in support of criminal activities.
“Equally, the bandits, insurgents and other criminals use drugs before launching their nefarious missions.
