By Olukayode Michael, Maiduguri
The Nigerian military has recorded significant success over
the Boko Haram and have paved way for the return of displaced persons in the
North east to their homeland, the Acting General Officer Commanding (GOC), 7
Division and Commander Sector 1, Operation Lafiya Dole, Brig. Gen. Bulama Biu
said.
Speaking at a social gathering organised to mark the 2018 Nigerian Army Social
Activities (NASA), at Maimalari Cantonment, Maiduguri.
Biu said that the successful celebration of NASA in
Maiduguri is an indication to the triumph of the military over the insurgents
and restoration of peace to the area.
He claimed that the military had successfully restored normalcy and peace in
Maiduguri and other parts of the region, compared to the chaotic situation
bedeviling the area in the past.
He said the military had re-opened major highways and roads that were hitherto
closed due to incessant insurgents attacks, even as thousands of people were
rescued from insurgents’ captivity.
He said: “Today’s occasion
offers us unique opportunity to celebrate the prevailing peace in the
northeast, particularly in Borno which by God’s grace, has been achieved
through the doggedness and boldness of our troops and the stakeholders.
Our officers and soldiers, therefore, deserve to celebrate their year of
success over the terrorists having toiled tenaciously to keep the peace of the
land through their sweat and blood with many paying the supreme sacrifice.
There is no doubt that we have conducted many successful operations in 2018; we
are determined to conduct more until Boko Haram terrorists and other criminal
elements are completely purged out of our land.
Through our successful operations, many roads, hitherto
closed due to the insurgents activities, have been reopened and secured to promote
hinterland economy.
Also, several people were rescued from captivity while many resettled back to
their homes with adequate support for their farming activities.”
The Army Chief noted that the army, under its stability operations, had restored peace, essential services and provided humanitarian services, to support the populace directly or through coordinated efforts with development organisations.
He promised that the army will intensify campaign to clear
remnants of the insurgents in the region.
On NASA, Biu said the event was designed to enable the army to appraise its
performances in the past one year, celebrate successes, and enable personnel
and their families to partake in series of relaxation activities.
He said it also availed the army unique opportunity to promote mutual
understanding with communities and other security organizations.
The Borno Governor, Alhaji Kashim Shettima who was represented by his deputy,
Usman Durkwa, lauded the military over the successes recorded in the campaign
against the terrorists.
He said “in the past 10 years, our military, in conjunction with other security
formations, contributed greatly in the fight against insurgency and other
criminal activities in the northeast.
“They have had sleepless nights in their efforts to safeguard the lives and
property of our people. This has been the result of the relative peace our
communities are enjoying today”.
He pledged government’s support to the military to enable it to discharge its
mandate effectively.
In his speech, Maj.-Gen. Benson Akinroluyo, the head of the military
counter-insurgency operation in the North east (Operation Lafiya Dole),
commended the efforts of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) and other security
agencies in conjunction with the Army to bring the war to a successful ending.
He reiterated the commitments of the military to ensure total defeat of the
insurgents and restoration of peace to the northeast region.