Insecurity: Tide turning against Boko Haram, ISWAP in North East – APC-LAC

OBIORA IFOH, Abuja

An All Progressives Congress, APC media group has hailed the Muhammadu Buhari government on its stride against criminal elements in the North, noting that the tide is definitely turning against Boko Haram and ISWAP in the North East.

The group, APC Legacy Awareness and Campaign, APC-LAC also blamed the current wave of heightened insecurity in the country on years of mismanagement and embezzlement of funds meant for procurement of security equipment by the then ruling Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.

According to a press statement titled: “Improving Security Situation in the Country”, issued Thursday and jointly signed by four leaders of the group; Barr. Ismail Ahmed, Mr. Lanre Issa-Onilu, Mr. Tolu Ogunlesi and Mr. Salihu Moh. Lukman, the voluntary think-tank group of the governing party, stressed that though serious challenges still exist, and there is still a long way to go in restoring a robust sense of security in the country, it is however important to continually acknowledge the victories and successes being recorded by our military and law enforcement agencies, in the various theatres of operation across the country.

The group noted that relative calm has returned to South East, and efforts are ongoing to fully neutralize the militant networks that have been troubling the region.

It added that in the Coastal Areas, the full rollout of the Deep Blue and Falcon Eye surveillance and security projects is certain to deal a strong blow on the activities of pirates and militants in the weeks and months ahead.

The statement explained that security challenges are best tackled by a combination of responses, which should not be limited to kinetic military action alone, stressing that the Administration’s focus on legislative reform, ease of doing business reform, and on mobilizing social investment, investment in agriculture, mining, and infrastructure, are all steps aimed at directly creating the right enabling environment for jobs, investment and prosperity for the populace — and indirectly curbing insecurity.

It further explained that by prioritizing investments in agriculture, mining, infrastructure, and various foundational economic reforms, the Buhari Administration is laying the foundation for a Nigeria that truly works, one that will enjoy lasting security and prosperity.

“It is important to emphasize that the increased pressure being brought to bear on the insurgents was responsible for the worsening infighting and factionalization that recently resulted in the death of Abubakar Shekau, and is equally responsible for the wave of surrenders being recorded in the region.

“In the most recent press briefing by the Defence Headquarters, it was disclosed that more than a thousand insurgents and their families have surrendered to the military in recent weeks, including two notorious Boko Haram bomb experts. Several bandits’ camps and hideouts have been bombed and destroyed in the Northwest, Northeast, and North Central. Recent military operations have killed more than 150 insurgents, bandits, and militants across the country; large caches of weaponry and ammunition have also been seized.

“We welcome the renewed synergy between the Army and the Air Force in the Northeast and Northwest. We equally welcome the arrival of the Nigerian Navy’s brand new Landing Ship Tank (LST), and the Nigerian Air Force’s first batch of six Super Tucson aircraft. There is so much to be optimistic about as our security agencies, under the leadership of President Buhari, intensify efforts to secure every inch of the country,” the statement reads in parts.

.Nigerian troops not culpable in human rights abuses – Magashi

The Minister of Defence, retired Maj.-Gen Bashir Magashi, has debunked allegation of human rights violations by Nigerian troops in the on-going counter-terrorism operations in the North East by a section of international community.

Magashi stated this when the United States Acting Ambassador to Nigeria, Kathleen Gibbon, paid him a courtesy visit on Thursday, in Abuja.

The Special Assistant to the Minister on Media and Publicity, Mohammad Abdulkadri, disclosed this in a statement on Thursday.

The minister assured the international community of President Muhammadu Buhari’s respect for the domestic and International laws on human rights abuses.

He said that the Nigerian troops were guided by the extant laws of the land as enshrined in the constitution and rules of engagements as well as acts and other laws to warrant any form of abuse.

He also gave assurance that the Nigerian military would not renege on its avowed compliance to the rule of law and commitment to defending the national interest at all cost.

“What else should Nigeria do to protect human rights and Child Protection Act that the country is not doing presently,” he asked.

The minister, however, thanked the U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) and the U.S. Office of the Defence Cooperation for the delivery of the NAF Super Tulcano aircraft and the training of NAF Pilots and engineers.

Earlier, the Acting Ambassador, Kathleen Gibbon, pledged the continuous support of the U.S. for Nigeria, adding that the remaining six Super Tulcano would arrive the country by September.

Gibbon appreciated the progress Nigeria has made in fighting insurgency and the nation’s compliance with Protocols.

She pledged that another meeting would be convened to discuss way forward for the promotions of human rights and Child Protection Act among other areas of common concerns to the two countries.