From Okwe Obi, Abuja
Movement, Survival of the Izon Ethnic Nationality in the Niger Delta and Coalition of Youth Leaders for One Nigeria (COYLON) have defended the efforts of the Nigerian Armed Forces in the fight against insurgency, adding that Nigerians should provide use intelligence to enable soldiers achieve the aim.
Leaders of the groups, Dr Kennedy Tonjo and Isaac Owoicho, in a statement yesterday, explained that the Chief of Defence Staff, General Chris Musa, in particular and his men have adopted kinetic and non-kinetic operations, and that he has improved military architecture, redefined the entire response to security issues and the zero tolerance for insecurity in every nook and cranny of the country.
According to them, President Bola Tinubu has made many other good incursions especially in the fight against insurgency, adding that his knack for choosing very good materials for the top-notch jobs as service chiefs and the National Security Advisor (NSA) has not been riddled with criticism.
“The Nigerian military under the able leadership of the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Gwabin Musa, OFR, has given the present administration a cause to relax knowing fully well that the fight the military is involved in from all fronts is on course.
“Looking at the coordination of good administration, kinetic and non-kinetic operations, officers and men’s welfare, improved military architecture, redefining the entire response to security issues and the zero tolerance for insecurity in every nook and cranny of the country cannot be faulted.
“Little wonder diverse groups, including Nigerian youths, have commended President Tinubu for recording improved security across Nigeria way ahead of previous administrations.
“There is no doubt that the effective coordination by the CDS towards the final elimination of insurgency, banditry, militancy, oil theft in the Niger Delta region and the IPOB and Boko Haram activities gives credence to a military that is under able leadership.
“The civilian-military relationship has also improved greatly under this dispensation, leaving pundits flat on their feet, not seeing any reason to castigate the Tinubu regime.
“There is no doubt that in appraising the transformation the armed forces of Nigeria has passed through in the last year plus under the leadership of General Musa.
“One could easily conclude that though the country was bedeviled by serious security challenges before the advent of the Tinubu administration, the vigor and renewed strategies adopted by the CDS and his team have indeed brought some succor to a majority of Nigerians and non-Nigerians alike.
“General Musa assumed the office of Chief of Defence Staff on June 23, 2023, and ever since, he has not only shown capacity as a leader with clear-cut intentions who knows the security challenges confronting the nation but has also taken time to provide deliberate leadership and coordinated strategies to make the Nigerian Army, Navy and Air Force formidable from every angle.
“Looking at the high level of discipline, cohesive tactics and improved relationships that these forces are known for now, it is clear that they all believe in the transformational leader bestowed on the men and officers since June 2023.
“The level of cooperation and collaboration with other security apparatus like the Nigerian Police Force (NPF), the Department of State Services (DSS), Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Nigerian Correctional Service (NCS), Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA), Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and the National Intelligence Agency (NIA) has clearly shown the ability of the defense chief to ensure good synergy among all these organs earning the imagination of many cynics.
“When you look at the efforts brought in by the CDS to enhance the nation’s borders in collaboration with the NIS and the NCS to prevent the infiltration of criminal elements and the smuggling of illicit goods, including arms and ammunition, it is clear that this is a man that knows his onions.
“General Musa has also served as motivation to the personnel in terms of exposing them to good pieces of training, modern-day equipment and improved living conditions for the men and officers still in service and even those who have lost their lives while defending their fatherland. These initiatives have indeed boosted the morale and fostered more dedication and pride in the armed forces of Nigeria.
“Writing about the transformation the armed forces have undergone under the leadership of the CDS since his assumption of office could take more than enough pages you can imagine, but it would be apt to state the robust relationship that has been established with civilians which hitherto was fraught with suspicion between both parties.
“His communal and humanitarian activities have been openly admitted from many quarters. General Musa has ensured that the military under his watch respects human rights and has ensured constant engagement with stakeholders through dialogue to address the root course of agitations.”
Tonjo admitted that “there are still some challenges facing the armed forces, but one can still conclude that there is hope in the horizon as this General from Zangon Kataf, in Kaduna State, is his engaged in steady and progressive onslaught against the forces of darkness that have terrorists Nigerians and foreigners alike for many years.
“General Musa has consistently assured and reassured the nation that the Nigerian Armed Forces under his leadership is committed to putting an end to the security challenges facing the country from different angles.”