- The achievements of President Muhammadu Buhari in the fight against insurgency has been acknowledged
- The gesture was also extended to the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Tukur Buratai
- This was the position of youths from the southwest region of the country
Youths from the southwest region under the umbrella of the Progressive Yoruba Youth Congress, have commended the achievements of President Muhammadu Buhari as well as the COAS, Lieutenant General Tukur Buratai in tackling the various security threats Nigeria faced in 2017.
Addressing journalists in Lagos, president of the Progressive Yoruba Youth Congress, Desmond Abiona said the choices of the president in appointing his security chiefs played critical role in the fight against terrorism and other security threats.
The group also stated that the president and the Nigerian Army have demonstrated capacity in handling the security situation in the country.
President Buhari and the service chiefs were hailed by the youth group. Photo credit: Aso Rock
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Abiona explained that the youth congress has taken stock of what has transpired in Nigeria in 2017, especially around the security circle because of its importance to economic development and concluded that the Buhari administration deserves to be commended.
His words: “It is common knowledge that security was the biggest challenge for Nigeria before President Muhammadu Buhari came into office.
“The worst form of the insecurity that bedeviled the nation was the insurgency being waged by Boko Haram as a terrorist group. Its reign of terror was such that people had expected that the whole of Nigeria would have been under sustained attacks from the terrorists by now.
“There were also militant groups and separatists that those wishing to destroy Nigeria have primed to replace Boko Haram. To the glory of God and to the credit of President Buhari, these threats have all been managed and Nigeria's integrity maintained.”
He also praised the military chiefs appointed by President Buhari for bringing the needed experience, skills, dedication, and commitment to the job to ensure that Nigeria returned to being secured.
“We have seen results by way of a Boko Haram that is not able to spread its terror further than what it did before President Buhari came to power thanks to the Army that has denied its fighters breathing space.
“We have seen a Boko Haram that has been flushed out of areas once touted as its stronghold. We have also seen several other aspiring terror groups consigned into undertaking exercises in futility as they try to stake claims to being notorious terror groups.
“We commend the President for restoring security to the land through the instrumentality of the Nigerian Army and other military and security services. It is a singular achievement for which we are grateful as Nigerians,” he added.
According to Abiona, the army under Buratai is one that has been rated as the best in recent times and it is something Nigerians are happy to identify with especially when it has done much to secure the country.
“We declare that Mr President has demonstrated capacity in handling the security situation in the country as we recognize the leadership he has provided as the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces. This in our view was what trickled down to the Nigerian Army which has adjusted itself into the new role as the guardian of democracy.
“We salute President Buhari for appointing Lieutenant General Tukur Buratai as the Chief of Army Staff. The army under Buratai is one that has been rated as the best in recent times and it is something we are happy to identify with especially when it has done much to secure the country,” he concluded.
Meanwhile, the federal government says it has completed the first phase of prosecution of Boko Haram suspects in its custody, with the next phase to begin soon.
The solicitor-general of the federation, Dayo Apata, who stated this in Abuja on Wednesday, November 8, said the government was determined to bring all Boko Haram detainees to justice.
He spoke at the closure of public sitting/hearing by the Presidential Investigation Panel to Review Compliance of the Armed Forces with Human Rights Obligations and Rules of Engagement.
READ ALSO: Operation Deep Punch: Nigerian troops clear Boko Haram camps
Survivors of Boko Haram - on NAIJ.com TV
Source: Naija.ng
ROSY CREST
Wednesday 15 November 2017