A Coalition of over 50 Civil Societies Organizations from Abuja has praised troops of Operation Lafiya Dole over their doggedness and resilience in the fight against the Boko Haram insurgents in the North Eastern part of the country.
The Coalition who visited the headquarters of Operation Lafiya Dole was received by the Theatre Commander of Operation Lafiya Dole, Maj. Gen. Ibrahim Attahiru at the Military Command and Control Centre (MCCC), headquarters of the Operation Lafiya Dole, Maimalari Army Cantonment, Maiduguri in company of other top military and security commanders in the theatre.
In his presentation, the leader of the group Comrade Okpakwu Ogenyi expressed happiness over the high spirit fitness of the troop and their combat readiness to crush the Boko Haram insurgents.
“Members of this group met and interacted with Nigerian troops you lead under the various Commands of the Operation Lafiya Dole and were really impressed with our experiences. We were particularly elated to see the gallant Nigerian troops in the counter-terrorism war in the Northeast in high spirits,
“Dear Commanders, we were also pleasantly baffled with the evidently high sense of professionalism, discipline, patriotism, commitment and hard work you have brought to bear on troops under your control. It is an indication that all of you have keyed into the vision and agenda of President Muhammadu Buhari and the leader of the counter-insurgency war, the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Lt. Gen. Tukur Yusufu Buratai in prosecuting the anti-terrorism campaigns in our country, Nigeria,” Comrade Ogenyi said..
The group was particularly pleased with the overwhelming presence of troops and their activities both in the rebuilding process and social activities in the region which according to them has brought confidence especially to the rural communities, stressing that it is the first time the army is uniquely carrying out her corporate social responsibility for the country.
“ The overwhelming presence of soldiers in the Northeast and the constant staging of military activities in the region , like the 2017 Nigerian Army Day Celebration have consistently imposed an atmosphere of serenity in communities and dismantled the psychological fear of threats of terrorists.
“During our on-the-spot assessment of some military formations in Borno state, we were delighted at the noticeable impact or shadows of the Nigerian Army in the rebuilding process of ravaged and devastated communities in the Northeast through roads and other infrastructural projects.
“We stand to be corrected, but we believe this is the first time the Nigerian Army is exhibiting its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) to host communities very uniquely. There is every reason to appreciate the leadership acumen of the COAS, Gen. Buratai and indeed, all of you his subordinate commanders in assisting him to redefine and casting of a new positive image on the Nigerian Army”.
The group praised the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai for his recent redeployment in the army as a way of strengthening the operations while calling on the new commanders to maintain the tempo of the fight.
Comrade Ogenti said: “At this juncture, please permit us to appreciate the wisdom of the Army Chief for the internal redeployments he recently effected in the Nigerian Army. These routine changes are necessary to expose officers to new realms of experience to broaden their knowledge in military operations. We wish to charge the newly redeployed Commanding Officers to keep the candle burning.
“Particularly, those of you posted to Command Theatre of Operation Lafiya Dole have an onerous duty and patriotic obligation to Nigeria, not to only sustain the tempo in the counter-insurgency campaigns, but strive to surpass the records of your predecessors by standing up for our country at all times. This is a “mission of no return,” until victory is fully secured.
“We want to assure you that you have won the battle on terrorism. The ceaseless heat you mounted in mopping out the remnants of Boko Haram insurgents in clearance operations in the Northeast compelled about 700 terrorists, among them, top commanders on wanted list, to call for armistice and surrender to the Nigerian Army . We are proud of your performance and you deserve to be celebrated as all of you are heroes. We cannot afford to negotiate this celebration with anyone, anywhere in the world. Its victory for our country and only us shall celebrate this victory. We shall soon roll out drums for this elaborate celebration.
“Finally, permit us to specially celebrate your Superior Commander, the COAS, Gen. Buratai for his cerebral tactics and strategies in prosecuting the counter-insurgency war. His wizardry in knowing when, where and how to apply any strategy on terrorists humbled insurgents to earn us the victory we all celebrate today. He knows when to change the narrative against the terrorists to keep the camp of his enemies in perpetual disarray. The Army Chief is a soldier dreaded by Boko Haram insurgents and as master of the game, Gen. Buratai knows when to tell insurgents to sit or stand up and they comply. He is truly the African best. Thank you, the “People’s General.”
In his remarks, The Theatre Commander Operation Lafiya Dole, Major General Ibrahim Attahiru, Theatre Commander of Ops Lafiya Dole thanked the coalition for first thinking it wise to come to the north east to get firsthand information of the operations of the troops and the progress been made in the fight against the Boko Haram terrorists.
He noted that the victory over Boko Haram requires collective efforts and not just the military, adding that such a visit by the CSO today has helped to strengthen them to do more for the country.
Maj. Gen. Attahiru equally affirmed the commitment of the military to flush out the remnant of Boko Haram from their hideout anywhere in the country, just as he promised a to convey the message to all the troops in the Command.
