Recently, the media as well as public discourse has been inundated by calls for the sack of the service chiefs. Nigerians at the forefront of these calls including members of the National Assembly gave the security situation in the country including terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and armed robbery as reasons.
But following a thorough assessment of the war against insurgency in the Northeast, over five hundred representatives of different Civil Society Organisations , CSOs, have passed a vote of confidence on the service chiefs, lauding the efforts of the military.
This decision was reached at a high-level meeting to appraise the situation and the rationale behind the call for the change of service chiefs amidst ongoing fight against terrorism.
The meeting which was tagged: “An Appraisal of the Performance of the Service Chiefs in the Fight Against Insurgency in Nigeria,” was attended by no fewer than 500 representatives of various CSOs from all the states of the federation.
Briefing newsmen after the meeting by the President of Coalition of Civil Society Group, Mr. Etuk Bassey Williams, he dismissed the call for the sack of service chiefs, having seen tangible evidences of progress of Nigerian troops at the frontline.
Williams noted that given the dexterity with which the Military is curbing insecurity in the Northeast and other parts of the country, complete victory over the insurgents is in sight. He insisted that the Military has made remarkable achievements when the current state of insecurity is juxtaposed with what it used to be.
“Today, incidences of bombs detonating at our Worship Centres, Markets, Motor parks, Government buildings and other strategic places has disappeared and is no more a recurring event except for a very few insignificant cases.”
Painfully, Williams cited the following: “Abuja Police Headquarters bombing which was believed to be the first suicide bombing in Nigeria’s history. The attack occurred on 16 June 2011, at the premises of the Louis Edet House in Abuja by the Boko Haram, left at least six people dead.
“The 2011 Abuja bomb explosion on Friday, 26 August 2011, at the United Nations building in Abuja the Nigeria’s capital which killed at least 21 and wounded 60.
:On 14 April 2014, bomb exploded at a crowded bus station in Nyanya, Abuja, killing at least 88 people and injuring at least 200.
“On December 2010, Boko Haram bombed Jos, killing 80 people; they were also blamed for the New Year’s Eve attack on a military barracks in Abuja.
“On December 2011, a multiple bomb attacks on Christmas day, left dozens killed.
“The January 2012 wave of violence across Northern Nigeria; Kano bombing killed at least 180.”
He noted that the frequency of attacks was phenomenal in the past but that has become a history today since the coming of the present service chiefs.
“It was observed that Nigerians in the city centres are no more keeping vigil in anticipation of a likely attack by the Boko Haram terrorists, the agony of insecurity and fear of the unknown has eluded the major cities except the fringes of Borno, Yobe and Adamawa States.
“It is true that a lot has been achieved by the present crop of service chiefs, not just in the battle field but also in disabusing the forcefully recruited members of the Boko Haram as many have repented and have willingly surrendered to the Nigerian Army.
“Unlike before, the Nigerian Military has prioritised training and equipping of its Soldiers with modern military hardware. More than ever before the welfare of our military personnel has gained more attention.
“It is true that the terrorists are no more in control of any territory and today Boko Haram is being ousted from the last stronghold in the Sambisa forest effectively reducing and disorganising the group.
“It is true that thousands of captives have been freed from the hands of the insurgents and many of the insurgents are surrendering to the Nigerian Army as a result of intensive effort and gallantry.
“The renewed vigour and tact engendered by the service chiefs and particularly the chief of Army Staff: Lt Gen, Tukur Buratai has yielded a very appreciable success in their effort to completely defeat Boko Haram.
Williams acknowledged the fact that some people might not appreciate the effort of the military in the fight against insurgency but said it is quite interesting that all Nigerians celebrate the reduction in the frequency of attacks, magnitude of impact and casualties recorded under the present service chiefs.
The CSOs said owing to the many progress of our gallant troops who are closing in on total victory against the insurgents, it is pertinent that they are appreciated and commended.
“We salute the courageous effort of the military, and call on Nigerians to pray and wish that the enthusiasm to make Nigeria again will not be in vain.
“We mourn with the bereaved and salute the sacrifices made by the gallant soldiers who laid the lives for our comfort peace.
“We celebrate your gallantry, commitment and patriotism to your fatherland; the successes against the insurgent are testament to the capacity of the service chiefs, especially Lt Gen, Tukur Buratai: the chief of the Army Staff.”
Also, the CSOs urged all Nigerians to shun views or positions motivated by ethnic or political interest and support the service chiefs and the entire military with prayer and useful information to enable them end the insurgency and return peace to the affected areas.
Experts have also thrown their weight behind the continued retention of the service chiefs especially now that Boko Haram Insurgents have been degraded to a very large extent.
AljazirahNigeria recalls that former Commissioner of Police, Lagos State, Alhaji Abubakar Tsav, recently commended the Chief of Army Staff and his gallant troops for a display of sheer “gallantry and patriotism” against Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists.
According to Mr Tsav, Buratai has once again silenced his critics and proven beyond reasonable doubt that he is worthy of President Muhammadu Buhari’s trust and that of Nigerians despite the conspiracy.
Scores of insurgents lost their lives on Wednesday after the gallant troops repelled an attack in Damboa, a town 85 kilometres away from Maiduguri, the Borno State capital. The Nigerian soldiers were unscathed from a five-hour gun duel which left dead bodies of the insurgents and their 19 abandoned trucks littered on the ground.
Being a security expert himself, Alhaji Tsav likened the Nigerian troops to its American counterparts with zero tolerance for terrorists. He expressed pride in their consistent show of bravery and courage amidst distraction by paid critics behind negative scripts.
Mr. Tsav added that this may not have been achieved without Lt. Gen Buratai’s focused leadership and tenacity, who he says has done enough to earn his respect and that of all Nigerians.
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