It was a convergence of security agencies as Police Community Relations Committee(PCRC) on Saturday,November 23rd,2024 organized a football tournament in honour of the late Chief of Army Staff,Lt.General Taoreed Lagbaja at Sharks stadium,PortHarcourt.
Men of Nigeria Army,Nigeria Police,National Drug Law Enforcement Agency(NDLEA), Federal Road Safety Corps(FRSC), Honorary Members of the Police Officers Mess participated in the football match to honour the late Chief of Army Staff.
In an interview with Journalists at the sideline of the event, Voke Emore, Chairman Police Community Relations Committee,( PCRC ) in Rivers State said “as part of End of Year activities we do every year,we decided this year to honour the late chief of Army Staff, Lt.Gen.Lagbaja.We need to celebrate our hero. This is also in support of what the IGP has done already..
“The IGP declared seven days mourning period in Police Force for the late Army General and PCRC decided to honour this great hero of Nigeria by carrying out this novelty match.
“The participation has been awesome.We are excited that everybody is here .It has been a fantastic game so far.The turn out has been massive”.
Colonel MS Daroda,Deputy Chief of Staff incharge of Administration who represented 6 Division Nigeria Army said ” I am happy to be here.We were invited here by PCRC to participate in this novelty event in honour of late Chief of Army Staff Lt.General Lagbaja. Our team have come here to participate. To show solidarity and generally in the spirit of jointness. You know most of our activities we perform these days is in a joint environment.
“Of course the leadership of the Armed forces in General and in particular the 6 Division has also keyed into this general leadership philosophy.We are happy we won the Police team.Is a honour for me to be here”
Deputy Commissioner of Police, in charge of Operation, DCP Olubgenga Adepoju who represented the Commissioner of Police,CP Mustapha Bala said “the relevance of the novelty match is to honour late Lt .Gen Lagbaja.Is a very good initiative of the PCRC .It is a honour well deserved .The match is interesting,fortunately the Army team won the Police.It is an opportunity to celebrate him”
On his part, State Commander of NDLEA Ahmed Mahmuda said “I appreciate the PCRC for organizing this unique event .It is unique in the sense that this is the end of the year .They succeeded in bringing in all the security agencies together to enhance their synergy,cooperation and their working relations.
“We are here to console the Nigeria Army for the demise of the Chief of Army Staff that just passed on”
On his part,Sector Commander of Federal Road Safety Corps(FRSC) Nyang Umoh said “it is unfortunate situation. We miss our late Chief of Army Staff .It is a novelty match,it shows the love we have among ourselves.We are encouraged because he did his best,may his soul rest in perfect peace.
“On the ember month, We have designed our public enlightenment, Public education and enforcement.The message is speak up against dangerous driving.We understand that if you have a vehicle carrying 18 passengers is only one driver.The passengers have right to speak up if the driver is driving dangerously.
“I call on drivers to be cautious,careful .Observe simple rules while using the road. Is a fantastic programme by PCRC.I encouraged other Non Governmental Organizations to take a clue from PCRC in organizing events that bring security agencies together”.
Our correspondents reports that the Nigeria Army won the Police 2-1.
The PCRC also visited some orphanage homes in the afternoon in continuation of End of Year activities.