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The federal government has given approval for the fencing of Army Barracks, Onitsha, Anambra State, the minister of defence, Adetokunbo Kayode, said yesterday.

The absence of perimeter fencing of the
barracks has been a source of bother to the government and people of
Anambra State, given the suspicion that many criminals utilize the
presence of many markets around the barracks to evade detection and
escape pursuit. As part of the measures to check criminal activities in
the state therefore, especially Onitsha, Governor Peter Obi had
consistently mounted pressure on the federal government to fence the
barracks, pointing out that it was regrettable that it was the only
barracks he knew in the country that was not fenced.

At a meeting with the governor in
Abuja, Mr Kayode commended him for his concern for the good of his
state, announced that President Goodluck Jonathan had approved the
immediate fencing of the barracks, consequent upon Mr Obi’s letters and
representations on the issue.

Mr Kayode said the ministry would set machinery in motion for the
immediate fencing to start, and pointed out that officers from the
ministry would soon visit the barracks for evaluation. The minister,
who said the country could only be secure when all the states were
secure, said the army would continue to assist in maintaining security.