A former Director of Media Operations at the Defence Headquarters, Major General John Enenche (retd), has hailed security agencies and the government for the rescue of the abducted Oyo students and teachers after over 50 days in captivity.
Enenche said he was relieved when he heard about the successful rescue of the people who were picked up in Orire Local Government Area of Oyo State.
“When they (Oyo schoolchildren and teachers) were rescued, I was in church; I quickly sent congratulatory messages to the principals, the Chief of Army Staff, the Special Adviser on Homeland Security, among others, because I’m excited. This is what I desire,” Enenche said on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics, which airs from 8 pm to 9 pm.
He, however, wants authorities to step up efforts to “close” security gaps to avoid a recurrence of such an incident. According to him, proactiveness is key to winning the war against insurgency.
“The biggest lesson out of this for me is that we need to close the gaps. There are gaps that we have identified, and that is why I call on my colleagues who are retired like me—not tired and passive— let them become more active. Let us close the gaps,” he said.
“Like I said, if the gaps that are there now are closed, we will not get to the level of leaving people in captivity for over 50 days, close to two months.”
He told security agencies and the government to “come together” to bring up and embrace innovations to address Nigeria’s security challenges.
Enenche noted that with these innovations, “we should be able to locate and geolocate places and put a [security] umbrella over this country” and track security challenges as they happen.
While commending security operatives for the rescue, Eneche asked Nigerians to “be proud of them (security operatives) and support them”.
“Give them the morale and encouragement to do more. We have a lot here, but we are only finding fault,” he said.
The former defence spokesman’s comment came days after the presidency and military authorities announced the rescue of the abductees who were taken from their schools in Oyo State.
Authorities say the victims are undergoing medical evaluation and treatment, after which they will be reunited with their families.
Their abduction had triggered an outpouring of outcry across the country, with teachers and residents of the state taking to the streets to demand the release of the victims.
But after 56 days in captivity, the victims were rescued following a joint security operation.
