The Nigerian Army on Friday led joint security agencies on a 10-kilometre road march across Benin City, to demonstrate unity, preparedness and a coordinated resolve to tackle crime in Edo.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the exercise was spearheaded by the Commander of the 4 Brigade of the Nigerian Army, Brig.-Gen. Ahmed Balogun.

The march involved personnel drawn from the Nigerian Police Force, Nigerian Air Force, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Department of State Services, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency.

Others were Federal Road Safety Corps, Nigeria Immigration Service, and other security outfits operating in the state, including the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).

The road march commenced from the 4 Brigade headquarters along Golf Course Road in the Government Reservation Area and moved through Dennis Osadebe Avenue, Ikpokpan, Sapele Road, Ring Road and Airport Road before terminating at the brigade headquarters.

Speaking shortly after the exercise, Balogun said the road march was designed to demonstrate the physical fitness, solidarity and collective strength of security agencies in the State.

The brigade commander, who assumed office on Dec. 1, said he deliberately took part in the entire march to lead by example and reinforce the importance of fitness in military and security operations.

“I did not tell anybody to represent me. I walked the whole distance. It means I am fit, and you are all fit. That is the standard we must maintain,” he said.

Balogun said the exercise was aimed at publicly demonstrating the synergy among security agencies and reassuring residents of the state of their safety, especially as the festive season approaches.

“What we have done this morning sends a strong message to everybody in the city. People saw the Army, the Police, Civil Defence, NDLEA, DSS, Road Safety, Immigration and others marching together.

“It shows that we are united and that we are one in the fight against insecurity in Edo State,” the army boss said.

Balogun said the large turnout of uniformed personnel would serve as a deterrent to criminal elements.

“We have also sent a message to the bad guys. When they see over 500 of us marching, they know that there is more from where this came from. Those planning evil should rethink and turn a new leaf,” he said.

The commander also described the road march as an annual end-of-year exercise that marked the conclusion of the brigade’s training calendar, noting that it served multiple security objectives.

“The march went through the length and breadth of Benin City to reassure residents that they can enjoy the Yuletide, Christmas and New Year celebrations and sleep with their two eyes closed.

“For miscreants and lawless individuals, they should be ready to face the full wrath of the law,” he said.

He reaffirmed the commitment of the Nigerian Army to sustained inter-agency collaboration, stressing that the 4 Brigade would continue to work closely with sister services to maintain peace and security in the State.

“We are open to collaboration, cooperation and synergy. With the support of all security agencies, we are confident that we will collectively deliver on our mandate of securing lives and property in the state,” he concluded. (NAN)