Nigerian Army to set up cattle ranches nationwide

•    As Police assures of peaceful yuletide
THE Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur  Buratai, has said that the Nigerian Army would be raising up cattle ranches in such a manner that in almost all the divisions, and all the brigades, cattle will be reared.

Buratai who was represented by the Chief of Army Logistics, Major General Patrick Akem, stated this on Tuesday at the Commissioning of Mogadishu Cantonment New Mammy Market (former Abacha Barracks), Abuja.

The Army Chief disclosed that in keeping up with modern cattle rearing tradition, he sent officers of the Army to Argentina to look at how cattle were reared.

He noted that he has created the Barrack Investment Initiative as platform that affords Army family members the opportunity of raising up fishing ponds, vegetable gardens, fruits, livestock, chicken and their eggs.

According to him, the intention of the Nigerian Army was not just to secure the country, but to contribute in growing the economy of the nation.

He added: “We want to tell our wives that they can live beyond the salaries of their husbands, so we are trying to empower the women in the barracks to be able to form cooperatives, so as to access loans and to a large extent be able to fend for themselves and their families, even without the salaries of their husbands.

In addition, the Commander Army Headquarters Garrison, Major General John Malu said that the formidable shopping edifice had over 2000 shops, 27 warehouses and a printing press owned by the Nigerian Navy.

He added that the services of a reputable private security firm was contracted to handle the security of the market.

Meanwhile, ahead of the forthcoming yuletide celebration, the Commissioner of Police FCT, CP Muhammad Mustafa has assured residents of the Federal Capital Territory that the FCT Police Command has put in place adequate security measures that will see to the seamless celebration of the Christmas and New Year.

He enjoined residents to be vigilant and partner with the Police by reporting all suspicious movements around them to the nearest Police formation or call the Command emergency.

The Commissioner of Police while felicitating with FCT residents, tasked parents and guardians to rein on their children and wards to guard against the use of fireworks and Knockouts as it creates unnecessary panic heightens tension and provided a conducive atmosphere for criminal activities.

All Area Commanders and Divisional Police Officers have been directed by CP Muhammad Mustafa to ensure a strict compliance to ban on the use of fireworks and knock-out in the Federal Capital Territory. Those arrested for violating the ban will face the wrath of the law.