By Correspondent 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, but assured that ending the menace is not impossible.
Gen.Yahaya, speaking to journalists in Minna during his one day working visit to Niger state on Sunday, commended Nigerian Army for sustained bombardment of the criminals whose activities he noted had caused pains, loss of lives and properties of citizens across the country.
The CoAS, 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’.
The COAS further assured Nigerians, especially states, that though the criminals had deprived them of their peace and freedom of movements, the challenges would be overcome in no distance future.
Our Correspondent reports that part of the COAS’ visit to thestate is to interact and ginger the soldiers to do more in guaranteeing safety of lives and property of citizens.
While soliciting for accurate information to the Nigerian Army for immediate action, Yahaya attributed the successes so far recorded in the fight against threats to the territorial integrity of the country to collaboration with other security agencies.
The Chief of Army Staff 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”.
“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 ginger them to do better”.
“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”.
Edited by Dada Ahmed.
