By Olukayode Michael, Maiduguri
The Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Yusuf Buratai on Wednesday said the increase in criminalities across the country was as a result of embittered politicians bent at destabilizing the country.
He however warned them to abide by the outcome of the elections and exercise some restraints and allow peace to reign.
The COAS pointed out they have strong evidences against the politicians sponsoring banditry, kidnapping and other forms of criminal acts.
He gave this assertion while hosting a 10-member of House of Representatives’ Committee on Army, who were in Maiduguri on a two-day oversight function.
He said: “There are myriads of security challenges we are facing right now in the northwest, north central and other parts of the country. I want to believe and rightly so that with the fall-out of the just concluded general elections, there are politicians who saw their defeat as a means of revenge, sponsoring these criminal activities and even banditry, clashes between the farmers and herders.”
“We used this opportunity to call on Member of House of Representatives to prevail on some of these politicians, to really look at national interest first before any political or sectional interest. We have some strong evidences but we are still being consicious so that we don’t get it wrong but the best is to advise these politicians.”
He urged politicians to desist from any activities that inflicts pains on civilian , warning that all criminals will be dealt with in accordance with the law of the land.
He assured that the Army would continue to pursue terrorists until they are finally extinct from the nation.
He equally assured all that the Nigerian Army is on top of criminalities, including Boko Haram terrorism, kidnapping and banditry across the country.
He said that despite the soft target attacks by the insurgents in recent times, the Nigerian Army has degraded their manpower and weapons while efforts are being made to deal with the terrorists at their hideouts and those on the run.
The COAS, while appreciating the visit of the committee members, assured them that their coming will definitely heighten the high morale of the troops and give them more confidence to face the task ahead.
He also commended the committee members and the entire National Assembly for their support and encouragement to the Nigerian Army operations across the country while noting that, the committee members.
He said the coming of the committee will make them to appreciate more the efforts and sacrifices of the Nigerian Army in bringing peace back to the North East.
He said they will not but appreciate the sacrifices of the soldiers when they go round the works and activities of the Nigerian Army in the North East.
He appealing to the House Committee to address challenges and problems of manpower and logistics the Nigerian Army is confronted with towards making it more professional.
Earlier, the Chairman of the House Committee on Army, Hon. Rimammade Kwewum, who led other nine members on the visits said they were in Maiduguri at the Operation Lafiya Dole headquarters as part of their legislative oversight function to access activities of the Nigerian Army and recieve briefings on the activities of the Operation Lafiya Dole Theatre Command .
He said whatever the committee received will be incorporated in the final report being prepared by for onward presentation to the House of Representatives while commending the Nigerian Army for its numerous achievements.
The Committee were also at the Maimalari Cantonment Cemetery to lay wreath on the graves of the fallen heroes and also visited the Hospital and Medical Services Centre of the Barrack to sympathize with wounded soldiers.