By Simon Ebegbulem

BENIN—GOVERNOR Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State has said that the people of the state were proud of the invaluable services of the Nigerian Armed Forces to the peace and security of the state and the nation, especially in defeating the Boko Haram terrorists.

Oshiomhole

Speaking at the 18th Combat Service Support Training Week of the Nigerian Army Corps of Supply and Transport in Benin City,  Governor Oshiomhole said that the army has gone beyond its call of duty in protecting the territorial integrity of the nation to also ensuring internal security.

He said: “I cannot imagine what would have become of this state in terms of security if we had not had the support of the armed forces going beyond their conventional call of duty to support the Police and the Department of State Security,  to ensure the security of our people in this state.

None of us ever thought that the issue of security was far more complicated. It goes beyond defending, as they say, the territorial integrity to now dealing with internal issues of insurgency in ways that are so complicated that just a few years back many of us would never have thought  of the possibility of a full-blooded Nigerian carrying out what they would refer to as suicide bombing.

“So, our armed forces have risen to the occasion. We in Edo State appreciate the fact that, but for the determination of our officers and men in uniform, only God knows which part of Nigeria would have been under the control of insurgents.”