GOC 81 Division seeks partnership with journalists to curb insecurity

The General Officer Commanding (GOC) 81 Division, Major General Lawrence Fejokwu, has appealed for stronger collaboration from journalists on defence beat. He sought credible intelligence from members of the public to curb security threats.

The GOC made the appeal while receiving the correspondents at the headquarters of the division at Victoria Island, Lagos.

He further urged them to be mindful of sensational reporting as they could attract negative inferences that could influence crisis.

He pledged to ensure an open-door policy that would give the defence correspondents unfettered access to clarify any report on the activities of the NA within his area of responsibility, promising that if such clarification is beyond him, he would guide them on the next step to take.

Speaking on his expectation on security within Lagos and Ogun States, he said the military is here to protect all law abiding citizens by ensuring that they go about their businesses in the safest environment.

Citing intelligence as the major keys to solving any security challenges, he said the battle can only be won if the civil populace brings credible information to security agencies to nip security challenges in the bud before they snowball into a crisis.

The GOC said the division will keep members of the press informed on measures put in place to improve the state of security in the states.

On plans by the division to prevent possible attacks on government properties within his area of responsibility, the GOC stated that the military in conjunction with other agencies is working on strategies to contain any attacks, adding, however, that for security reasons, he would not disclose it.

He assured that very soon, newsmen would start seeing significant improvement in the security architecture in the states.