N/East stakeholders hail military’s success against terrorists

Tue, Aug 23, 2022
By editor
7 MIN READ

Defence

SECURITY experts and stakeholders have commended the military and other security agencies over the recent successess recorded in the fight against Boko Haram insurgents in the North-East region.

The stakeholders who spoke to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Bauchi, Gombe, Maiduguri and Yola, said the feat achieved resulted to relative peace in the region.

They urged the military and other security agencies to sustain the tempo to improve security and restore peace for sustainable social and economic development of the region and the country at large.

The stakeholders also urged the people to continue to support the military to ensure total elimination of the insurgents and criminal elements hibernating in parts of the region.

Alhaji Makinta Usman, Secretary, Bama Emirate Council in Borno, said social and economic activities had resumed following the surrendered of thousands of insurgents terrorising the area.

He said the introduction of new operational strategy by the military bolstered the morale of the troops in the fight against the insurgents, and also encouraged the terrorists to voluntarily surrendered to the authorities.

This, he said would herald end to insurgency, fast track peace restoration and return of civil authorities in resettled communities.

Brig.-Gen. Abdullahi Ishaq (rtd), Special Adviser on Security to Gov. Babagana Zulum, attributed the feat achieved to the introduction of the new peace initiative tagged “Sulhu Alheri” in the state.

He urged residents of the state to support the initiative which encouraged the insurgents to surrendered in drops for lasting peace.

The governor’s aid said the trend hastened peace building process and improved security in the state.

Prof. Mala Mustafa, Senior Research Fellow, Centre for Development Study, commended the military over the improved security and called for more support to enable it to prosecute the war to logical conclusion.

According to him, CDD is supporting reintegration of repentant insurgents into the society aimed at building lasting peace in the war torn region.

In the same vein, the Theatre Commander, Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK), Maj.-Gen. Christopher Musa said many inter-state roads, hitherto, closed due to insurgents’ activities had been reopened following the returned of peace in the region.

He said farming, commercial activities and businesses had resumed in resettled communities across the region.

According to him, the introduction of kenetic and non kenetic approach by the military has been yielding positive results as over 73,000 insurgents surrendered to the troops.

The surrendered insurgents comprised fighters, locals, women and children.

He said that, “the infighting between Boko Haram and Islamic State of West Africa (ISWAP), the ongoing “Operation Desert Sanity” in collaboration with Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) continued to weaken the insurgents.

“We are now enjoying synergy with all the security agencies and other stakeholders including the populace.

“The people are with us, we’re getting information as quickly as they occur and we’re reacting promptly.

“We are also cooperating with the MNJTF, because we understudied the modus operandi of the insurgents; once you push, they either go across the territory to Chad, Cameroon and Niger, and then come back later.

“So we took up the issue and we combined our efforts in the joint task force operations”.

In Yobe; DSP Dungus Abdulkarim, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in the state,  attributed the feat to implementation of new policing strategy, provision of equipment and improved welfare package for police personnel.

He said the police had deployed additional patrol vehicles and recruited more men including constabulary as well as reward and promotion of deserving rank and file of the Police Force.

“Members of the public through effective community policing are cooperating and provide credible information on criminal hideouts, suspicious persons and movements in their communities,” he said.

He urged the people to continue to cooperate with the security agencies to flush out remants of the insurgents and criminal elements in the state.

Also; Baba Shehu, Chairman, Network of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) in the state, commended the military and other security agencies for winning the war against the insurgents.

He urged government at all levels to continue to support security agencies to enable them to effectively discharge their constitutional mandate.

“It is good for the military to sustain the tempo and further strengthen their relationship with communities in order to have sound, realistic and result oriented relationships”. (NAN

Similarly, some stakeholders in Gombe State have charged the media against sensational reportage that encouraged terrorism and banditry.

Mr Auwal Ahmad, a journalist, said the Nigeria Army had recorded series of successes in the fight against terrorism and banditry in recent times.

“This is good and impressive because we need these successes to continue, especially as we go into an election year.”

Ahmad said the army had been doing a lot to defend the sovereignty and unity of the country and they needed to be encourage by all stakeholders including the media.

“In recent times, the army has recorded series of victories against terrorists but you hardly hear that in most media outfits.

“But when terrorists or bandits attack the military, security personnel or communities, you see it as major headlines as breaking news.

“This is encouraging the bandits and terrorists; we must move away from that and not give them unnecessary publicity which they use as their strategy to feel important”.

Malam Usman Ibrahim, a hunter, said the military needed to be commended in view of their sacrifices and nature of the enemy they face.

Ibrahim said Nigerians must never show sympathy to terrorist groups because their motives were baseless and “they always want people to pity them or be on their side.”

According to him, Nigerians must always be on the side of the military because they are on the side of Nigerians.

“Bandits and terrorists must never be given good comments or sympathy; this is why I am urging the media not to justify the reason bandits go into banditry because it is of no use to us.”

Malam Abubakar Deba, a rice farmer in Dadin-Kowa community, said he visited Southern Borno recently, adding that,  “things are getting better security wise.”

While commending the military, Deba urged Nigerians to assist them with prayers and information to help them tackle insecurity in the country.

Also; Mr Albert Kaninkon, a retired Assistant Commissioner of Police in Bauchi State, lauded President Muhammadu Buhari administration’s commitment in tackling security challenges in the country.

He said the government was working assiduously to tackle the problem, protect lives and property of the people.

“Experts in security circle are aware of the government’s commitment, and currently working on new strategies from top to bottom to tackle insecurity in the country,” he said.

He advocated for adoption of modern technologies to address the challenges and enhance security in the country.

For his part; Mr Simon Iliya, a Security Expert in Yola, Adamawa, said Nigerians should appreciate the military for the succeesses recorded towards restoring peace and stability in areas hitherto sacked by Boko Haram insurgents.

“Prior to this feat one cannot move free in some areas like Madagali, Michika and other places for fear of the insurgents’ attack.

“It is good for the government to make the welfare of the military and the police a top priority to enable them to discharge their duties with more commitment and dedication”. (NAN)

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