Buni Commends Military Over Counter-insurgency Operations

Yobe State Governor Mai Mala Buni has commended the security operatives for their efforts in fighting insurgency and related crime activities in the North East and Nigeria.

Governor Buni gave the commendation when he received the Chief of Defence Staff and National Chairman Steering Committee Operation Safe Corridor, General Christopher Musa, on a courtesy call at the Government House Damaturu.

The Governor, who was represented by his Deputy, Hon Idi Barde Gubana, said the state government shares a belief that some members were conscripted into the insurgents as a result of various attacks on communities. At the same time, some among them were indoctrinated with heretical beliefs.

He said, “I am confident that with our collective, sustained efforts, they would be salvaged from the wrong path through a non-kinetic approach; they may repent and open a new positive chapter in their lives and become responsible citizens once again.” The Governor said.

He described that the reports indicated that 390 clients would graduate after undergoing 6 months of de-radicalisation, ehabilitation, and reintegration programme in the first phase, 54 of whom are indigenes of Yobe state; the state government has made adequate arrangements for their reception, re-integration, and monitoring to ensure that their activities will bring peace to society.

He gave assurance and support to the Operation Safe Corridor and all security operatives towards achieving common goals of eliminating insurgency, banditry, kidnapping and other related crimes in the State.

In his response, the Chief of Defence Staff and the National Chairman of Steering Committee Operation Safe Corridor, General Christopher Musa, told the Governor that they were at the government House to pay him a courtesy call and discuss the upcoming graduation ceremony of over 390 clients, 54 of whom are indigenes of Yobe State.

The programme, represented by Brigadier General Yusuf Ali, the committee’s coordinator, is a specialised military initiative designed to offer a pathway and hope for repentant insurgents and bandits to reintegrate into society.

He said that the devastation of lives, livelihoods and properties in the North East and Nigeria was caused by the activities of insurgency.

Brigadier General Yusuf Ali solicited support from the state government by providing empowerment, infrastructure, and other mobility to safeguard young people from violent extremism.