Follow Us on Google
..Predicts end to criminal groups in sight
From Romanus Ugwu, Abuja
A Civil Society Organisation (CSO) under the auspices of Conference of Civil Society for Peace, Security and National Development (CCSPSND), has praised the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja, for his courage and the determination in launching onslaught against insurgents, bandits and other criminality in the country since assumption of office.
In a press statement jointly signed by its Conveners, Adamu Muhammad and Mike Msuaan and made available to newsmen in Abuja on Wednesday, the CSO noted, with satisfaction, the energy and motivation he has brought to bear on the fight against criminal elements in the country.
The Army Chief described him as a commander who leads in the front.
According to the organisation; “under the watch of the current chief of Army Staff, Lagbaja, the criminal activities of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and the Eastern Security Network (ESN) in the South East have been brought to an end.”
“The sit at home declared by the proscribed group has been stopped through the heightened activities of operation Udoka, in collaboration with other stakeholders in the region. This has reopened the region to economic activities and restored normalcy in the region,” the statement read.
It further acknowledged the reduction of activities of insurgents and bandits in the North East and West, the farmers and herders attacks in the North Central.
The CSO maintained that this was made possible by the expertise and motivation of the soldiers by the chief of Army Staff.
“Soldiers have renewed their onslaught on insurgent BokoHaram/SWAP leading to the killing of several kingpins, destruction of camps and arrest of many members of the insurgent groups in the regions.
“The clashes between the herders and farmers in the North Central states of Benue, Nasarawa and Plateau have reduced drastically due to the activities of the military,” the statement read.
The group however urged the Chief of Army Staff to sustain the crack down on criminal groups in the country stating that peace, unity and development cannot be achieved in an environment laced with insecurity.
It also stated that General Lagbaja has all it takes to end insurgency, banditry and other forms of criminality in the country having served as commander in most of the theatres of war in the country.
To motivate the soldiers, the statement revealed that the Chief of Army Staff has moved to improve the welfare of the troops and their families through several welfare packages introduced for their benefit, adding: “this will keep troops focused on their duty posts.”
The coalition, in passing a vote of confidence on General Lagbaja described him as a remarkably adroit and determined soldier.
The group commended his efforts and rejigging of the military and called on Nigerians to support the Chief of Army Staff in his determination to end criminality in the country. The group also stated that the end to the activities of such groups is in sight.
