Security experts and stakeholders have commended the military and other security agencies over the recent successes recorded in the fight against Boko Haram insurgents in the North-East region.
The stakeholders who spoke in Bauchi, Gombe, Maiduguri and Yola, said the feat achieved had resulted to relative peace in the region.
They urged the military and other security agencies to sustain the tempo, so as to improve security and restore peace for sustainable social and economic development of the region and the country.
The stakeholders also urged the people to continue to support the military to ensure total elimination of the insurgents and criminal elements hibernating in parts of the region.
Makinta Usman, Secretary, Bama Emirate Council in Borno, said social and economic activities had resumed following the surrender of thousands of insurgents terrorising the area.
He said the adoption of new operational strategy by the military bolstered the morale of the troops in the fight against the insurgents and forced some of the terrorists to voluntarily surrender.
Usman said that the momentum should be sustained so as to end insurgency, fast track the restoration of peace and return of civil authorities in resettled communities.
Brig.-Gen. Abdullahi Ishaq (rtd), Special Adviser on Security to Gov. Babagana Zulum, attributed the feat achieved to the introduction of the new peace initiative tagged “Sulhu Alheri” in the state.
He urged residents of the state to support the initiative which encouraged the insurgents to surrender in droves for lasting peace in the state.
The governor’s aide also said that the initiative had hastened peace building process and improves security in the state.
Prof. Mala Mustafa, Senior Research Fellow, Centre for Development Study (CDD), commended the military over the improved security and called for more support from government and the populace, to enable it prosecutes the war to logical conclusion.
According to him, CDD is supporting reintegration of repentant insurgents into the society as part of peace building in the war torn region.
In the same vein, the Theatre Commander, Operation Hadin Kai, Maj.-Gen. Christopher Musa said many inter-state roads, hitherto, closed due to insurgents’ activities had been reopened.
He also said farming, commercial activities and businesses had resumed in resettled communities across the region, as peace returned to the region.
According to him, the introduction of kinetic and non-kinetic approach by the military has been yielding positive results, with over 73,000 insurgents surrendering to troops.
Those who surrendered comprised fighters, locals, women and children.
“The infighting between Boko Haram and Islamic State of West Africa, the ongoing Operation Desert Sanity in collaboration with Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) has continued to weaken the insurgents.
“We are now enjoying synergy with all the security agencies and other stakeholders including the populace.
“The people are with us, we’re getting information as quickly as they occur and we’re reacting promptly.
“We are also cooperating with the MNJTF, because we understudied the modus operandi of the insurgents; once you push, they either go across the territory to Chad, Cameroon or Niger Republic and then come back later.
“So we took up the issue and we combined our efforts in the joint task force operations”.
In Yobe, DSP Dungus Abdulkarim, the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, attributed the feat to implementation of new policing strategy, provision of equipment and improved welfare package for police personnel.
He said the police had deployed additional patrol vehicles and recruited more men including constabulary as well as reward and promotion of deserving rank and file of the Police Force.
“Members of the public through effective community policing are cooperating and providing credible information on criminal hideouts, suspicious persons and movements in their communities,” he said.
Abdulkarim urged the people to continue to cooperate with security agencies to flush out the remnants of insurgents and other criminal elements in the state.
Also, Baba Shehu, Chairman, Network of Civil Society Organisations in Yobe, commended the military and other security agencies for winning the war against the insurgents.
He urged government at all levels to continue to support security agencies to enable them discharge their constitutional mandate effectively.
“It is good for the military to sustain the tempo and further strengthen their relationship with communities in order to have sound, realistic and result oriented relationships,” he said.
In Gombe State, some stakeholders charged the media to stop sensational reportage that encouraged terrorism and banditry.
Mr Auwal Ahmad, a journalist, said the Nigeria Army had recorded series of successes in the fight against terrorism and banditry in recent times.
“This is good and impressive because we need these successes to continue, especially as we go into an election year,” he added.
Ahmad said the army had been doing a lot to defend the sovereignty and unity of the country and they needed to be encouraged by all stakeholders including the media.
“In recent times, the army has recorded series of victories against terrorists but you hardly hear that in most media outfits.
“But when terrorists or bandits attack the military, security personnel or communities, you see it as major headlines as breaking news.
“This is encouraging the bandits and terrorists; we must move away from that and not give them unnecessary publicity which they use as their strategy to feel important,” he said.
Usman Ibrahim, a hunter, said the military needed to be commended in view of their sacrifices and the nature of the enemy they face.
Ibrahim said Nigerians must never show sympathy to terrorists, because their motives were baseless and “they always want people to pity them or be on their side.”
According to him, Nigerians must always be on the side of the military because they are on the side of Nigerians.
“Bandits and terrorists must never be given good comments or sympathy; this is why I am urging the media not to justify the reason bandits go into banditry because it is of no use to us.”
Malam Abubakar Deba, a rice farmer in Dadin-Kowa community, said he visited Southern Borno recently, adding that, “things are getting better security wise.”
While commending the military, Deba urged Nigerians to assist them with prayers and information to help them tackle insecurity in the country.
Mr Albert Kaninkon, a retired Assistant Commissioner of Police in Bauchi state, lauded President Muhammadu Buhari administration’s commitment to tackling the security challenges in the country.
He said the government was working assiduously to tackle the problem and protect lives and property of the people.
“Experts in security circle are aware of the government’s commitment, and currently working on new strategies from top to bottom to tackle insecurity in the country,” he said.
He advocated for adoption of modern technology to address the challenges and enhance security in the country.
A security expert, Mr Simon Iliya, said in Yola that Nigerians should appreciate the military for the successes recorded so far in restoring peace and stability in areas hitherto sacked by Boko Haram insurgents.
“Prior to this feat one cannot move freely in some areas like Madagali, Michika and other places for fear of insurgents’ attacks.
“It is good for the government to make the welfare of the military and the police a top priority to enable them discharge their duties with more commitment and dedication,” he added.
