The service chiefs yesterday got a fresh marching order from President Muhammadu Buhari to crush the Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP), which has overtaken Boko Haram in the North East insurgency, before he leaves office in 2023.
Buhari handed down the order at a meeting of the Security Council in Abuja 24 hours after the group rained rockets close to the Maiduguri airport shortly before the President arrived in the city.
Several people were killed by the rockets.
Police Inspector General Alkali Baba Usman said some of the masterminds of the attack have been eliminated.
And in his Christmas message yesterday, the President told Nigerians to invoke the “indomitable spirit in us and see the present order of things as a phase that will also pass, just like other unsavoury situations in the nation’s history.”
The Nation gathered that Buhari, during the Security Council meeting, directed that no inch of Nigerian territory should be ceded to terrorists.
Buhari wondered why ISWAP insurgents kept striking from the same corridor unchecked and told the Service Chiefs to be prepared to win the war against insurgency before he leaves office.
The President’s second term expires in May 2023.
Buhari said he meant what he told the troops in Maiduguri on the need to rout Boko Haram and ISWAP insurgents.
A top source, who spoke in confidence with one of our correspondents, said the meeting was a “frank appraisal session.”
“No one was happy with how the ISWAP insurgents struck on Thursday and took the shine off Mr. President’s visit.
“The President could not understand the recurring assaults from the same corridor or axis,” the source said.
“We had a similar incident on December 4. And before the President’s visit, a security /intelligence evaluation was done with a caveat that there should be a subsidiary operation to cordon off this axis.
“Yet the insurgents fired rockets from the same axis and targeted the Maiduguri International Airport.
“Although the President did not betray emotions during his visit, he was certainly not happy with the situation of things.”
Responding to a question, the source said: “The President asked the Service Chiefs not to give terrorists, especially the Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP), a breathing space. He directed that no inch of Nigerian territory must be occupied by terrorists.
“He warned against the reversal of the gains the military has made. He also sought a more proactive campaign to rout the insurgents, whether Boko Haram or ISWAP.
“He said his administration is prepared to win the war against insurgency.”
The Nation also gathered that top Army Generals were yesterday deployed in Borno State to “review the situation and boost the war against the insurgents.
Another source added: “Many Army Generals arrived in Borno State on Friday to review the situation and improve on the operational strategies.”
Buhari at Christmas: How we can end this unsavoury security situation.
The President in his Christmas message as Nigeria joins the rest of the world today to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ asked Nigerians to invoke the “indomitable spirit in us and see the present order of things as a phase that will also pass, just like other unsavoury situations in the nation’s history.”
Similar goodwill messages came from Senate President Ahmed Lawan, House of Representatives Speaker Femi Gbajabiamila, state governors, the All Progressives Congress (APC), the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) and the Catholic Archbishop of Abuja, Dr.Ignatius Kaigama, who said the hearts of Nigerians are heavy with suffering arising from the situation in the country.
Buhari said Nigeria is yet to overcome its security challenges “despite the remarkable successes generally recorded.”
He said: “Our courageous security forces, bolstered by the necessary support from this administration, daily confront the wicked ones amongst us, who continue to threaten the peace of the land.
“Recently, during the meeting with fellow Heads of State of the ECOWAS, I discussed the need to intensify efforts to jointly confront this menace causing instability in our sub-region.
“I am confident that with the renewed commitment and empowerment of our committed security personnel, all these issues which inflict pain and trauma on us will soon be history.
“Let us utilise the opportunity that this festive period brings to encourage ourselves so that the machinations of the wicked ones in our midst will find no place to thrive.
“Christmas is a season when hope is rekindled. Hope, Peace, Joy, Love are the recurring themes of this time.
“It is in the midst of hardship that the true test of a nation emerges.
“I urge Nigerians to invoke the indomitable spirit in us and see the present order of things as a phase that will also pass, just like other unsavory situations in the nation’s history.”
He pledged that government would not abandon the promises made to Nigerians for a better lease of life, while it would continue to “create opportunities for our teeming youths to ventilate their tremendous energy.”
Buhari said this is the second Christmas running that the world “will not be able to celebrate as we used to in years past,” on account of the COVID-19 pandemic.
He appealed to Nigerians to “embrace vaccination, which is the best scientifically known bulwark against the pandemic.”
He asked those that have taken the two doses to go ahead and take the booster as advised by the Presidential Steering Committee (PSC).
APC: We’re solidly committed to innovations to improve Nigeria’s electioneering processes
The All Progressives Congress (APC) said it remains solidly committed to “constitutionally permitted and practical innovations and processes that will improve the transparency and credibility of Nigeria’s election eering processes and internal democracy.”
The National Secretary, APC Caretaker and Extra-ordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC), Dr. John Akpanudoedehe, assured Nigerians of the Buhari administration’s “capacity, intent and urgency to check and contain all criminalities so that Nigerians could go about their legitimate activities across the country safely.”
The party urged Nigerians to “use the joyful season to give and show love to our fellow men, particularly the needy and vulnerable among us,” while also urging “prayers and support for our selfless security and other essential services massively deployed around the country to ensure safe travel and yuletide festivities.”
PDP to Nigerians: Let’s reinforce our determination for national rebirth
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) advised Nigerians to use the Christmas to reinforce their determination for national rebirth.
The party’s spokesman, Debo Ologunagba, also stressed the need for Nigerians to unite and show love to one another, in line with the party’s mission to “rescue and rebuild the nation from misrule”.
The party said it was “deeply worried that in the last six years, Nigerians have been forced to mark Christmas in gloom, pain, anguish and utter despondency following excruciating economic hardship and worsened insecurity.”
It added: “The PDP is saddened that while people celebrate in other parts of the world, many Nigerian families could not afford the basic items of celebration or even travel, as they did in the past, to meet and bond with their loved ones due to high costs, worsened insecurity and deplorable state of roads which are now death traps in our country.
The PDP however urged Nigerians not to allow the suffering they face today to dampen or destroy their inner personalities as happy people so as not to lose sight of the message of hope, salvation and brighter future which Christmas offers.
National Chairman of the PDP, Dr. Iyorchia Ayu, charged Nigerians to keep hope alive in spite of daunting circumstances.
Ayu, in a Christmas goodwill message, said although the occasion symbolises love, hope, sharing, celebration and thanksgiving, the gloomy economic situation has made such very difficult.
He said: “But I charge Nigerians not to lose hope. Keep hope alive. There is life beyond the APC gloom. The day will break after this long night. Do not let the sorry state of the nation dampen the Christmas spirit”.
Atiku Abubakar urges Nigerians to sow seeds of unity
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar urged Nigerians to be intentional in thinking good thoughts and sowing better seeds of harmony and unity in diversity.
He said that as the world celebrates Christmas, which showcases the birth of Jesus Christ, Nigerians should embrace peace and unity at this period.
The former vice president reminded Nigerians that the revival of the country’s glory was everyone’s responsibility.
He said: “We cannot move forward as a country until we all realise that we are first Nigerians before our religious beliefs, ethnic identities, political leanings and cultural affiliations, and as such, we must show respect for one another by living in peace.
“As we celebrate, we should continue to extend hands of love and fellowship to our neighbours.
“We should live as one big family, irrespective of our social, political and religious leanings and continue to trust God for a better tomor row and a greater country.”
Lawan, Gbajabiamila, Omo-Agege preach love, peace, unity at Christmas
Senate President Ahmad Lawan, in his own goodwill message, said beyond the great merriment and thanksgiving joy that have come to be associated with the season, Christmas reminds mankind of the humble birth, simple life, teachings and sacrificial love of Jesus Christ.
Deputy Senate President, Ovie Omo-Agege, charged Christians to imbibe the spirit of love, humility, peace, selfless service and all other positive attributes that the birth of Jesus Christ symbolises for the world.
He stressed the need for citizens to reflect on the virtues of love, peace and tolerance as exemplified by Jesus Christ in order to build a new Nigeria.
House of Representatives Speaker Femi Gbajabiamila described Christmas as a time that calls for sober reflection and asked Christians to pray for peace and unity in the country amidst the current challenges.
He said the character of Jesus Christ, who is the main reason for the Christmas celebrations, should reflect in the life of every Christian.
Nigerians, he added, should eschew acts capable of sparking a breakdown of law and order during and after the celebrations.
Mark, Ekweremadu, southern senators too
Former President of the Senate, David Mark, expressed concern over the spate of violent crimes and insecurity across Nigeria and urged security operatives to review strategy towards reversing the situation.
Senator Mark said citizens of Nigeria have been exposed to more than enough ridicule on account of the insecurity challenges saying “Governments and security agents should do more to restore hope and trust in the land”.
He noted that the present security strategy seems not to be yielding the expected results saying: “a review of the operational strategy is therefore necessary in order to address the intractable issues.”
Former Deputy President of the Senate Ike Ekweremadu, on his part, urged Nigerians to embrace the values of love, peace, unity and sacrifice espoused by Christmas in order to move the nation forward.
He said despite the economic and security challenges, all hope was not lost if only citizens would unite in love across political, religious and ethnic divides to work in the collective interest of the nation.
The Southern Senators Forum, through its chairman, Opeyemi Bamidele, appealed to Nigerians to embrace peace by all means in order to move the country forward in the face of economic challenges occasioned by COVID-19 pandemic.
Bamidele, in a statement, urged all Nigerians to embrace peace by all means because there can never be tangible development in an environment where there is rancour.
He expressed optimism that the current problem would soon vanish if Nigerians embrace peace which Jesus Christ Himself stands for.
Nigerians’ hearts heavy with suffering – Kaigama
Reflecting on the myriad of socio-economic problems in the country, the Catholic Archbishop of Abuja, Dr. Ignatius Kaigama, said the situation has brought heavy hearts to Nigerians.
His words: “Christmas this year has found us in the throes of woes and distressing circumstances far beyond our human control.
“As Nigerians, in almost every part of this country, our hearts are heavy with the suffering we have experienced and seen this year alone, the many deaths as a result of terrorism, kidnapping and banditry, the depressing economic situation with inflation spiraling out of control, crashing further the ordinary man who has already been drained of joy, peace, and hope, the nagging presence of COVID-19 which has killed and forced a disturbing distance between us our loved ones and indeed the rest of humanity.
“The violent agitations for self-determination, which have come with the loss of lives and limbs, have left horrific scars on our collective psyche. All these make this year one that many Nigerians may not forget in a hurry. Nevertheless, Christmas proclaims, ‘Joy to the world the Lord has come.’
“For every disenchanted Nigerian who is on the verge of giving up on this country; for anyone who is prepared to cut off his moorings and drift away to distant lands, Christmas challenges us to dare to look ahead and again embrace the hope for a better Nigeria.”
PFN president: Don’t be dampened by harrowing experiences
Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) President, Wale Oke, asked Nigerians not to be dampened by whatever harrowing experiences they may be facing as the birth of Jesus Christ has brought hope and joy for mankind.
“This season, which celebrates the birth of our Lord, Jesus Christ, represents hope and joy for all the people of the earth,” Oke said in his goodwill message.
“So, regardless of the situation we find ourselves, this opportunity given to you and I on a silver platter shows that we should be more than grateful by serving Him, the Almighty, with everything in us
“Our government at all levels should continue to work relentlessly toward making sure that our security, economic and political challenges, among others, are turned around for the good of the country and its people.
“Our economy should be knocked into shape by revamping it so as to bring down high cost of living in the land.”
Makinde urges peace
Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State urged peace during the festive period and told the people of the state in particular to observe necessary precautions such as proper sanitization, use of nose covers and maintenance of social distancing in order to keep the COVID-19 at bay.
Similarly, he asked the people to be security conscious at all times and report any suspicion regarding security.
We’ve fresh opportunity to end threat to national unity, says Lalong
Governor Simon Lalong of Plateau State said this year’s Christmas has presented Nigerians with a fresh opportunity to be inspired to eliminate all fears about the issues that stand against the unity and peace of the country.
He said the lifestyle of Jesus Christ clearly indicates that challenges are necessary for the process of development which applies to the various problems that Nigeria is confronting at the moment.
This he said should guide Nigerians not to despair but build hope and faith that the country will soon overcome its challenges and achieve stability.
Show more love, Peter Obi urges Christians
The vice-presidential candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in 2019 elections, Mr Peter Obi, called on Christians to show more brotherly love and imbibe the spirit of giving their best for the good of others and for the development of society.
Obi urged Nigerians to go beyond the festivities and glamour associated with the Christmas season and strive to live out the true essence of the celebration.
Obi argued that “many societal ills plaguing Nigeria today, particularly rising insecurity, poverty, unemployment and drug abuse are mainly because we the leaders lack love and the spirit of sacrifice for the people.”
Adeola urges Christians to renew faith in God
Chairman of the Senate Committee on Finance, Senator Solomon Adeola, said Christians should use the occasion of the Christmas celebration to renew their faith in Jesus Christ and abide by all security and safety precautionary measures against the continuing rampaging COVID-19 global pandemic and insecurity in some parts of Nigeria.
While acknowledging that the occasion indeed should be joyous with merry making, the senator called for caution in such display of positive emotion in view of the prescribed precautionary measures to prevent and combat possibly the fourth wave of COVID-19 pandemic with the Omicron variant, adding that in this season, it is better to be safe and secure than be sorry.
