Fitness: Army, Air Force, Naval, Police officers march in Lagos

Lagosians watched, with a feeling of awe, Saturday morning, as over 1000 military and para-military personnel trooped out in the rain to observe an energy-sapping route march.
Led by the Flag Officer Commanding (FOC), Naval Training Command (NAVTRAC), Rear Admiral Obi Ofodili, the rank and file of the security agencies started the march from NAVTRAC headquarters, Apapa to Ijora, Alaka, Costain, Ojuelegba and back to Apapa.
Senior officers of the Nigerian Army, Air Force, Nigeria Police Force (NPF), Department of State Services (DSS), Nigerian Prisons Service, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) and Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) participated in the exercise.
As early as 5am, they defied the rain, singing, dancing and clapping as they marched on.
Hundreds of Lagosians cheered them.
Ofodili said that the initiative was from the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ette Ibas.
According to him, the exercise is primarily organised to test the physical fitness and mental alertness of personnel.
“The march was to reassure the populace that we the security forces are in charge. When you see military men march on the street, one of the objectives, whether defined or not, is to reassure the public that we are in charge.
“In fact, they are much safer than ever. It is a way of reassuring the public that all is well and every situation is under control,” he said.
Ofodili said that the route march was a continuous thing done once in a while.
“I have no doubt that it will really strengthen the existing relationship between members of the armed forces and other security operatives.
“We want to build and sustain good relationship with paramilitary agencies. For the armed forces, we have good relationship, because we all train at the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA),” he said.
Ofodili said the exercise was also “aimed at making other colleagues in uniform know that we all are one’’.
“From the turnout and participation, it is quite clear that we are all fit and healthy.
“I must commend the Chief of Naval Staff, who directed that the commands and autonomous units of the navy, come up with a march involving other security agencies to foster understanding, friendship and oneness.
“As a matter of fact, we are created equal because we are the same. We can see from here that there is no one having two heads,” he said.
Ofodili stressed the need for division of labour, adding that the job assigned for everyone would be a lot easier.
“The armed forces are supposed to defend our territorial integrity from any external attack from the sea, land and air.
“The paramilitary agencies are supposed to maintain internal security and when you are overwhelmed, you will invite us.
“If you are not there to soften the ground for us, we will find it more difficult when we come in.
“So, wherever we find ourselves, please let us show respect to one another,” he said.