Army seeks joint operations with DSS

The Chief of Army Staff, Maj. Gen. Tukur Buratai, has called for joint operations between the Army and the Department of State Services.

Buratai equally called for joint training exercises and intelligence sharing between the two security bodies for successful joint operations.

The Army chief’s comments were contained in a statement on Friday by the the Chief of Staff, Army Public Relations, Col. Onyema Nwachukwu, for the Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Col. Sani Usman.

Buratai was quoted as having made the call while paying a courtesy call on the Director-General of the DSS, Alhaji Lawal Daura, in Abuja.

He was said to have highlighted the strategic importance of the DSS, especially in the area of intelligence gathering, and urged the nation’s secret police to collaborate with the Army.

He restated the determination of the Army to carry out its statutory responsibility of defending the territorial integrity of the nation.

Buratai, who was quoted as having emphasised the importance of collaborative efforts, offered to provide the requisite expertise when necessary.

In his response, the DSS boss enjoined officers and men of the Nigerian Army to consider the DSS as partners in the security of the nation.

Daura described the DSS as an extension of the Nigeria Army.

“Let me state unequivocally that the DSS is an extension of the Nigerian Army,” he added.
Daura said it was imperative for the two security organisations to collaborate in view of the current security challenges facing the country.

The DSS boss, who assured the Army of the support of the service, noted that the two organisations had not failed in any joint operation.

(Punch)