The Seyi Makinde led government of Oyo state on Monday, 4th October 2021, launched off a militaryExercise, Operation Still Waters, which is anchored by the Oyo State Army 2nd Mechanized Division, Ibadan.
Makinde, who was represented at the flag-off ceremony by his Chief of Staff, Hon. Segun Ogunwuyi, reaffirmed that his government will continue to do all that possible to assist the Army and other security agencies in combating crime and criminality.
According to a statement provided by Governor Makinde’s Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Taiwo Adisa, the governor communicated his delight at the beginning of Exercise Still Waters, noting that the name of the operation represented a shift in strategy and direction in the war against lawlessness and terrorism.
The governor praised the vision of the Chief of Army Staff, who oversaw the statewide exercise, and said it was an improvement in the country’s strategy against terrorism and criminals.
He added that the fight against terrorism, banditry and all sorts of crimes is not only for the Army and other security agencies but also for the populace, noting that everyone needed to work as a team to fight criminality.
He said: “It gladdens my heart to be here and I want to commend the vision, effort and strategy of the new Chief of Army Staff. Military is perceived not to be civil; that they don’t have good civil relationship with the populace and perception is very important.
“In most operations we have had in the past, you heard Operation Crocodile Smile, Operation Scorpion. You would hear names and codes that do not connote relationship with the civilians. That’s why I said I have to commend our new COAS because we are now talking about Exercise Still Waters, Operation New Dawn. We are talking code names of operations that civilians can relate with.
“So, on this note, I want to really commend the COAS because that means we have changed strategy and direction in the fight against insurgency, banditry and others.
“This also means the civilians can begin to look at your operations and say, indeed, they want to be part of it because we know that the fight against criminality is not a one-man show.
“It is not only about the military or the Police or other security agencies. It is about all of us coming together as one nation, as one team to fight insecurity.”
The governor also praised Major-General Gold Chibuisi, the General Officer Commanding 2 Mechanised Division of the Nigerian Army, Odogbo, Ibadan, for creating a system that would bring together all security agencies, saying that with such synergy, success is assured.
“But with this kind of gathering whereby the NDLEA, Customs, Immigration, Police, NSCDC the Army itself and all other security agencies that are involved one way or the other in the fight against criminality, that means we are jointly going out on this mission. And when we agree, the only thing we can have is success.
“So, on behalf of the people and government of Oyo State, I want to wish us a successful outing in this Exercise Still Waters.
“The government of Oyo State will always do everything within our powers to support the Military, para-military and all the government agencies within Oyo State that is involved in tackling criminality,” he said.
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