Our Reporter
The Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC) and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) have sought stronger collaboration with the Theatre Command, Joint Task Force (North East), Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK), to tackle insecurity in Borno and the North East.
The PCRC Borno State Chairman, Amb. Abatcha Umar Nanabe, made the call on Friday when he led a delegation of the committee on a courtesy visit to the Theatre Commander, Maj.-Gen. Abdulsalam Abubakar, in Maiduguri.
Nanabe said the visit was aimed at exploring opportunities for deeper cooperation in security, while appreciating OPHK for honouring their invitation to the recently concluded PCRC 1st Borno State Security Training Workshop at the University of Maiduguri.
He noted that the gesture had further strengthened the cordial relationship between OPHK, paramilitary organisations and the public, in the collective effort to eradicate insurgency in the region.
The chairman also used the visit to condole with the Theatre Commander over the demise of the Commander, 7 Military Intelligence Brigade, Col. Bello Umaru.
He assured that the committee would continue to support the JTF in future civil-military cooperation activities whenever called upon.
Responding, Maj.-Gen. Abubakar welcomed the PCRC delegation and assured them of OPHK’s commitment to working with the committee, particularly in civil-military relations and other security-related engagements.
Similarly, the newly appointed NSCDC Commandant in Borno, Mr Mohammed Hassan Agalama, also called for enhanced collaboration with the Armed Forces in tackling insurgency.
Agalama, who paid a courtesy visit to the Theatre Commander on Thursday, recalled the support the corps had received from the military in terms of training and joint operations.
He said the NSCDC had continued to work closely with the Armed Forces in protecting critical national assets and requested more support and partnership in the overall interest of national security.
In his remarks, the Theatre Commander appreciated the corps for its contributions in the fight against insecurity, noting that the JTF (NE) comprised personnel from various security agencies, a synergy which had yielded successes in the region.
He commended the NSCDC for deploying capable personnel to the theatre and pledged sustained collaboration, particularly in line with the Presidential directive on the protection of critical national infrastructure.
Highlights of the visits included the exchange of souvenirs and group photographs.