The Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, has said that changes in security threats elicited the participation of the Nigerian Army in the internal security of the country.

He said that the Nigerian Army has, as much as possible, been professional in its conduct, ensuring best international practices that guarantee dialogue and consultations for the benefit of the masses.

He spoke at the ongoing annual general conference of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) in Enugu on Tuesday.
Oluyede, who was represented by the General Officer Commanding the 82 Division of the Nigerian Army, Major Gen. O.T. Olatoye, stated that the concept of national security strategies was being implemented by the army for the security of lives and property.

“I want to state that threats have changed over time. That is why we are involved in internal security, and most of the people that create the problems are not state actors. They are the ones making things difficult for people,” he said.

He urged the support of the masses for the services and operations of security agencies, stressing that though there may be challenges, they were being handled.

He added that, in the desire to serve the public well, the army had provided a toll-free line—193—where people could call, adding that there is a civil-military unit where complaints about inappropriate behaviour of their operatives could be made.