Governor Babagana Umara Zulum of Borno state appreciated President Muhammadu Buhari for his immense support to the Nigerian troops and other security agents in the fight against the Boko Haram insurgency.
He also thanked the Chief of Def nice Staff (CDS), General Lucky Irabor and other Service Chiefs for their immense contributions, concern, visitations and guidance to the Operation Hadin Kai theater Command always towards ending the insurgency and motivating the troops to put in their best in the fight against the terrorists.
The governor further commended the troops and other security agents for their diligence and steadfastness in the restoration of peace where the troops efforts and sacrifices in conjunction with other agencies including the Vigilante CJTF and Hunters have made tremendous achievements and successes in the state and region.
He also enjoined the troops to continue to exhibit their gallant prowess to end the war and high level of successes in restoring peace in the state despite the obnoxious challenges in the fight against the terrorists and bandits .
The governor who was represented by the State Deputy Governor, Hon. Umar Usman Kadafur at the Joint Chief of Army (COAS) , Lt. Gen. Yahaya Umar Farouq and Chief of Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Isiaka Amao Eid el Ftri sallah Luncheon with troops of Operation Hadin Kai Theater Command Headquarters, Maimalari Cantonment Maiduguri held at the 105 Composite Group, Nigerian Air Force Base ,Old Airport Maiduguri on Monday assured continuous support and cooperation with the security agencies to bring to an end the insurgency finally.
He also assured state government’s willingness to work assiduously with all the security agencies to ensure, peace permanently return to the state, pointing out that, without peace, no meaningful development can take place anywhere in the world.
The governor further urged the insurgents to voluntarily surrennder their weapons and arms as government and the military are ever ready to accept them and reunite them with their families and loved ones after deradicalization and rehabilitation of the surrendered Boko Haram insurgents before they would be reintegrated back into the society to live a better life while congratulating the troops and praying for peace.
In his welcome speech, the Theater Commander, Operation Hadin Kai, Major Gen. Chris G. Musa commended the efforts and sacrifices of the troops in the counter insurgency fight while paying tributes to those that lost their lives in active service to their fatherland.
He assured that the troops are in too gear to ensure total peace return to the state and region while expressing his delight to felicitate with the troops and charged the troops to live up to expectations, be careful, be professional, and never to relent in their efforts but rather forge ahead in their mission.
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt. Gen. Yahaya Umar Farouq in his remark thanked Mr. President for his unalloyed support to the Nigerian Army and Operation Hadin Kai Thetaer Command Headquarters in the fight against the terrorists, bandits and other crimes across the country.
He also charged the troops to discharge their duties diligently and be law abiding to make more success deapite the fact that there is no operation without challenges
COAS said there must be complete defeat in the fight with the renewed efforts and commitments, while appreciating the earnest sacrifices of the troops and paid tribute to those who lost their lives while in active service .
Lt. Gen. Farouq further reiterated the need for more efforts and sacrifices against the power elements of the terrorists and bandits, noting that, “we shall continue to do our best to ensure improved welfare of the troops, families and even those who lost their lives.
According to him, a special vocational training center has been established in skills acquisition especially for the widows and orphans of the fallen heroes.
He also appreciated the support and cooperation of the people of Borno, north east and country at large in the fight against insurgency while commending President Buhari for his first and confidence on the Nigerian Army and others.
COAS pledged to the NA unalloyed support to the Chief Commander of the Nigerian Armed Forces and Constitution of Nigeria to remain apolitical and remaining only on constitutional duties which is to defend, protect and maintain the integrity and sovereignty of this country as an nation.
The Chief Air Staff (CAS),0 Air Marshal Isiaka Amao noted that the annual luncheon with the gallant troops was significant and targeted at motivating the troops, boosting their morale, encouraging professionalism, identifying with the troops sacrifices and efforts in the counter insurgency fight operations.
He added it was also aimed at boosting comradeship and establishing social relationship between the officers and troops as well to assure the troops that we are ever ready to provide support and other logistics to man marine, land and air operations.
Air Marshal Amao further said success have been recorded through the renewed strategic desert operations and will continue to be maintained in the Sambisa forest like Alagarno, Timbuktu, Mandara mountains and lake Chad basin.
He noted that the successes could not have been achieved without the efforts and sacrifices of the gallant troops while saluting their gallantry and bravery where some have lost their loved ones, stressing that, in this regard, the NAF remained committed to provide all the necessary equipment and air components in the fight against the insurgents in the support of the joint operations in the region.
According to him, a new platform and helicopters have been procured and are being expected to enable the NAF sustain the equipment that have contributed immensely to achievements recorded so far.
He also warned the politicians during elections to be law abiding and obey electoral laws without causing any havoc in the society as the military will not condone any act of lawlessness and indiscipline in the forthcoming general election while warning officers and men of the NAF to distance themselves from politics and maintain their constitutional duties.
