Kunle Adelabu
-Assures that his men will ensure security in lkorodu, Lagos State
The Commander of the 9th Brigade, Nigeria Army Cantonment, Ikeja, Brigadier General M.L.D Salaso, has thanked the Ayangbure of Ikorodu Kingdom, His Royal Majesty, Oba (Engr.) Kabir Shotobi and the entire people of Ikorodu Division for their cooperation and support for his men at the 174 Battalion Army Barack at Odongunyan, lkorodu.
The senior military officer also assured that his men will ensure that lives and properties of residents of Ikorodu and by extension, Lagos State, will be protected.
Salaso gave the commendations and assurance when he paid a courtesy visit to the palace of Ayangbure on Wednesday, September 15, 2021.
He was accompanied to the palace by the Commanding Officer, 174 Battalion and other officers.
“I decided that I must come and pay homage to the royal father after several failed attempts due to my engagement in official assignments”, General Salaso said.
“This is very necessary because of the information that I have gathered from the previous and the incumbent Commanding Officers of 174 Battalion, Odogunyan, about all the support that the royal father has been extending to them.
“I am most humble and grateful and pray that God should make your reign long”, he said.
He commended the palace and the entire Ikorodu for accommodating his men and for the support that they have been enjoying.
“It is not in all communities that we have military formations that we experience cooperation, this, at times, is caused by the excesses of some of our men or by the community, but here in Ikorodu, our relationship is very cordial”, he said.
“You have stood by us and we are enjoying your royal blessings and support.
“On our part, I want to pledge that we will do everything to maintain the cordial relationship with the palace and the generality of the good people of Ikorodu”, he assured.
“I will do my utmost best by virtue of representing the Nigerian Army in the State Security Council and within the resources available at my disposal, to curtail insecurity and prevent it from degenerating”, General Salaso added.
His Royal Majesty, Oba Kabir Shotobi, the Ayangbure of Ikorodu, while welcoming the Brigade Commander and his entourage to his palace, said that the military has been carrying the traditional institutions along in its activities in the state.
“I sincerely thank the Brigade Commander for considering it necessary to visit the palace to pay homage”, the royal father said.
“I attach great importance to the visit and that was the reason I granted approval to it when the request came yesterday (Tuesday) and ordered that it should be given necessary attention that it deserved.
“The military has always carried the traditional institution along in its activities and we have been invited to some of their trainings.
“Importantly, the Nigerian Army always carried Ikorodu along in its activities with letters which are usually signed by the Chief Army Staff himself and sent to me”.
The royal father, who said that he has good relationship with soldiers, including the President of Nigeria who is a retired General, said that Ikorodu cannot distance itself from the 174 Battalion while also commending previous and serving Commanding Officers and men of the military formation in Ikorodu.
“We cannot distance ourselves from the I74 Battalion.
“All the Commanding Officers that have been posted to Ikorodu, including the present one, have been having a good relationship with Ikorodu. It seems that the army leadership usually consult us before sending them here.
“This is why I usually installed the Commanding Officers as Baale (representative of the King in Odogunyan community) of Odogunyan and I can see that the new Commander is working towards getting the title as well”.
The Ayangbure of Ikorodu also commended the military for not involving themselves in land matters.
“Land issue is very common in Ikorodu and our people usually make use of security officers to unlawfully and forcefully take over lands from their opponents, but your command has not descended low to be used in land matters.
“The presence of the barracks and that of the joint task force in Ikorodu have helped in bringing down the activities of the cult boys”, Oba Shotobi said.
Asipa Kaoli Olusanya, the Asipa of Ikorodu Kingdom and Vice Chairman, APC Lagos East, speaking earlier, thanked the officers and men of the 174 Battalion and the generality of the Nigerian Army for responding whenever that they are called upon and for securing the country.
“Ikorodu has been benefitting immensely from the presence of the 174 Battalion”, Asipa Kaoli said.
“Among the instances of this was when oil pipelines vandalisation and kidnapping were rampant in Ikorodu, which gave the town a bad name to the extent that a national newspaper carried on its front page, asking if Ikorodu has turned into a haven for criminals?
“During this period, 174 Battalion rose up to the challenge in bringing the oil pipeline vandalism to a halt. Though, they lost a man but that did not kill their morale. We are grateful to them.
“Another challenge which 174 Battalion has been playing crucial roles to combat is the activities of the cultists whom I called gangsters and who are causing panic for people in the community.
“In the fight against this, the presence of 174 Battalion which has been collaborating with police and our local security force, has greatly tackled the menace.
“For these and many more assistance which your men have rendered in ensuring security of lives and properties, we say thank you and we also recognize your sacrifice not only in Ikorodu, but also in Lagos and Nigeria at large.
“For peace to reign in our country, there must be people like you (soldiers) to protect our country”, Asipa Kaoli said.
Also at the visit were His Royal Majesty, Oba Raji Balogun, the Eweye of Isiwu, Otunba Ayodele Elesho, the Agbaakin of Ikorodu and former Commissioner for Information and Otunba Ganiyu Abiru, Secretary, Ikorodu Security Trust Limited and former Chairman, Ikorodu – Oga Development Association (IKODASS) among others.
