A civil society organisation, Conference of Civil Society for Peace, Security and National Development (CCSPSND) has praised the chief of army staff (COAS), Lt-Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, over his determination to end insurgency, banditry and other criminality in the country since he assumed office.
In a press statement jointly signed by its conveners, Dr Adamu Muhammad and Hon Mike Msuaan and made available to journalists in Abuja yesterday, the group expressed satisfaction with the energy and motivation the COAS has brought to bear on the fight against criminal elements in the country. It described him as a commander who leads in the front.
Muhammad said, “Under the watch of the current chief of army staff, Lt-Gen. l. Taoreed Lagbaja, the criminal activities of the infamous Indigenous People of Biafra ( IPOB) and the Eastern Security Network – ESN) in the south east have been brought to an end. The sit at home declared by the proscribed group has been stopped through the heightened activities of operation Udoka, in collaboration with other stakeholders in the region. This has reopened the region to economic activities and restored normalcy in the region.”
The statement further noted the reduction of activities of insurgents and bandits in the North East and North West and the farmers and herders’ attacks in the North Central, maintaining that this was made possible by the expertise and motivation of the soldiers by the chief of army staff.
The group noted that soldiers have renewed their onslaught on BokoHaram /ISWAP terrorists leading to the killing of several of their kingpins, destruction of camps and arrest of many members of the insurgent groups in the regions.
It also noted that the clashes between the herders and farmers in the North Central states of Benue, Nasarawa and Plateau has reduced drastically due to the activities of the military.
The group urged the chief of army staff to sustain the crackdown on criminal groups in the country stating that peace, unity and development cannot be achieved in an environment laced with insecurity.
It also stated that General Lagbaja has all it takes to end insurgency, banditry and other forms of criminality in the country having served as commander in most of the theaters of war in the country.
It observed that to motivate the soldiers, the chief of army staff has moved to improve the welfare of the troops and their families through several welfare packages introduced for their benefit, adding that this will keep troops focused on their duty posts.
