National Commandant, Peace Corps of Nigeria (PCN), Ambassador Dickson Akoh, yesterday described the recapturing of the Boko Haram’s strong enclave in the Sambisa Forest by the military as a good development and warning to other agitators.
The victory, Akoh said has demonstrated the fact that President Muhammadu Buhari is winning the war against the Boko Haram sects and that he is not resting on his oars.
Akoh said this while presenting a well furnished police station built by him to the police authority in Obande Ugboju community of Benue State.
He called on Nigerian to support Buhari’s administration to further secure the country.
His Royal Highness, the Obande of Ugboju, Chief Solomon Apochi, also led the Ugboju traditional council in Oturkpo Local Government Area of Benue State on a courtesy visit in appreciation for building a police station in the community.
His words: “‘I want Nigerians to know that security is key to any development and as such, the greatest gift Nigeria have gotten in the last five years is the capture of Boko Haram and the taking over of Sambisa forest.
”The security agencies have made the festival period merrier than before when it was a threat and we all know that a threat to any part of the society is a threat to every Nigerian.
”We celebrate and appreciate the doggedness of the Armed Forces and the Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces, President Mohammadu Buhari. They deserve accolades from all Nigerians considering the terror that has been unleashed on Nigerians by Boko Haram in the years past, with many lives lost.
“The capturing of the territory is also a warning signal for other agitators in Nigeria that there is no where you can defeat government. For other agitators they must know that constructive dialogue is the only way out. People should also help the security agencies in this regard to achieve success. Part of the function given to the Peace Corps of Nigeria now is neighborhood watch. In the bill it states that every street now should be watched by Peace Corps.
The Commandant however appealed to the Federal Government (FG) to motivate other security personnel, while urging for medals of honour to be awarded soldiers who have fought tirelessly to capture Sambisa.
”As practiced in advanced societies, the chief of army staff deserves the highest honour and I recommend such for him while also encouraging the (FG) to motivate other security personnel, and those soldiers who captured Sambisa forest deserves medals of honour. Some streets should also be named after the gallant and young men who fought day and night to secure the hideout of Boko Haram,” he urged.
Chief Solomon Apochi praised the commandant for building a modern police station for Ugboju community, and called the FG attention to the bad condition of the road in the area while appealing for it to be constructed as it will enable farmers conveys their products to the market.
Meanwhile, the House of Assembly member representing Adoka/Ugboju constituency and Chairman of appropriation in Benue state House of Assembly Barrister John Adam Okloho, stressed the importance of policing as he commended the building of one in the Ugboju community.