[allAfrica.com]  [Africa_2004]


'Troops Deployment Integral to Peace, Security'

This Day (Lagos)
NEWS
April 2, 2004
Posted to the web April 2, 2004

By Onwuka Nzeshi
Warri
Deployment of troops to violence prone areas of the country, particularly the
Niger Delta was yesterday described as an integral part of Nigeria's defence
policy of ensuring peace, security and democratic rule within and outside
Nigeria.
Minister of State for Defence, Dr Rowland Oritsejafor who was on a
familiarisation tour of military formations in Warri, Delta State disclosed
yesterday that the Federal Government was not in a hurry to withdraw soldiers
from flash points in the Niger Delta because the presence of troops was
inevitable in the sustenance of democracy and socio-economic growth of the
country.
Addressing a parade of Naval Officers and Ratings at NNS Delta, Navy Base,
Warri, Oritsejafor urged members of the Nigeria Armed Forces to remain
steadfast in their constitutional role of defending the country's territorial
boundaries while also keeping vigil over conditions that may truncate democracy
anywhere in the country."Apart from defending the territorial integrity of our
country, you are also to defend democracy through nipping in the bud any
possible drift to anarchy in the country.
"What you stand for is the unity of the country and that is paramount to us
because our problem as a country is not capitalist, communism or any other
political ideology, but how to sustain democratic rule.
"You are also aware of the various reforms the Federal Government has embarked
upon to improve not just the economy but also the well-being of the Nigeria
Armed Forces, the backbone of the nation's landmark master strokes in global
politics," Oritsejafor said.
The minister expressed appreciation to the Joint Military Task Force (Operation
Restore Hope) for their role in maintaining law and order in the Warri area,
adding that he was impressed with the high moral and combat readiness of the
troops.
He pledged that reforms in the Defence sector would go a long way in making the
soldiers professionals without neglecting their welfare.

   

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