Commander Warns Onitsha Residents To Steer Clear Cantonment

The Commander of
Onitsha Military Cantonment, Col. Mohammad Bello, has warned trespassers to steer clear of the Onitsha Military Cantonment.
Addressing the executives of the landlords’ associations in communities around the cantonment in Onitsha, Anambra State, the commandant said that  was part of efforts to check the intrusion of unauthorised persons into the cantonment.
He said that henceforth anybody scaling the perimeter fence of the cantonment would be arrested and handed over to the police.
“We have called this meeting for us to work closely, understand each other and foster good harmonious relationship. Of late, none of you have reported people scaling the cantonment perimeter fence, but henceforth anybody scaling the fence will be arrested and handed over to the police for trespassing.
Also inform your children, neighbours and tenants to stop throwing refuse into the cantonment. If anyone is caught, that child or youth and his or her guardian will be made to face the law,’’ he said.
The commander said the army had started surveillance on people smoking hard drugs within the communities close to the cantonment.
“We do not want to witch-hunt anybody, that is why we have taken it upon ourselves to monitor hard drug use around us. Those caught will be handed over to the NDLEA while any soldier caught will be summarily dismissed; the Nigerian Army does not condone such indiscipline,’’ he said.
Bello reminded the landlords of the need to be vigilant always and promptly report any suspicious movement or object to the army authorities.
“In today’s world, security is everybody’s business,’’ he said.
The Chairman of the Omagba Landlords Association, Chief Akunwata Okeke, thanked the military authority for its concern for the security and safety of those living around the cantonment.
Okeke, who spoke on behalf of the landlords, urged the commander to make the meeting a quarterly one.
“We will convey your message back home to our children, neighbours, tenants and we are giving you our support since what you are about to do is for the benefit of all,’’ he said.