By Princess Simon (Bureau Chief North Central, in Minna)
The Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen Farouk Yahaya, has lamented the level of devastation caused by the activities of Boko-Haram, Armed bandits/Fulani militia men, adding however that ending the menace is not impossible.
Gen Yahaya who spoke to journalists during his one day working visit to Niger state on Sunday, however commended the Nigerian Army for their sustained bombardment of the criminals whose activities have caused pains, loss of lives and properties of citizens across the country.
The Army Chief who used the occasion to commission some projects at the Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC), Nigerian Army and the 31 Artillery Brigade, Minna, urged the soldiers to sustain the tempo.
"Be more resolute and decisive in dealing with the criminals. Bring down their weapons and that is what we will continue to do out there notwithstanding the challenges".
Lt. Gen. Faruk Yahaya assured Nigerians, especially the states that the criminals have deprived of their peace and freedom of movements that the challenges would soon be overcome.
Part of his visit to Niger state, is to interact and jinger the soldiers to do more in guaranteeing safety of lives and properties of citizens hence the security situation is not 100% but appreciable impossible.
While soliciting for accurate information to the Nigerian Army for immediate action, the Chief of Army staff attributed the successes so far recorded in the fight against threats to the territorial integrity of the country to collaboration with other security agencies.
He told the commissioned TRADOC Officers Transit Accommodation Military Cantonment Minna that, "I am in Minna today as part of my operation visit to the Command". Gen. Yahaya who held closed door meeting with officers that lasted for hours said, "I have gone round all the states in Nigeria to access the security situation and now that I came here, I have been briefed by my officers on ground".
He also added that, "I commend them on the job they are doing they should be more resolute and more decisive in dealing with the criminals and when we engage and bandits just like in a war. We kill them and bring their weapons. There are challenges and we have noted them. The essence of the visit is to interact with the troops. To jinger them to do better.
Gen. Yahaya stated that "There are security challenges across the country and as they unfold and we are doing our best. In war like this, you can have surprises sometimes. As acknowledged by many, there is so much improvement compared to the beginning and we are continuing in that drive to secure the nation's territory".
He told Nigerians not to lose hope but keep praying for security forces to succeed: "These criminal elements are living with us and if we can all join hands together, we end their siege and we are making progress". NNL.
