The Senate Committee on Army Chairman, Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume has on Wednesday applauded the Nigerian military for their doggedness and resilience in bringing peace back to the ravaged North East region, particularly, Borno State, the epic center if boko Haram Insurgency.
He also assured the Nigerian Army of
continuous support by the National Assembly and Federal Government in an effort for the military to continue to protect the sovereignty, integrity and security of the country.
Senator Ndume stated this at the Theater Command Headquarters, Maimalari Cantonment Maiduguri when led the Senate Committee on Army members who were in Borno State on constitutional Responsibility of oversight function to ensure the NA are provided with all the necessary logistics, welfare, equipments, trainings, weapons, Allowances, salaries and accommodation facilities among others to motivate and encourage them out in their best in service to the nation.
He also disclosed that despite the efforts and sacrifices of the NA in the fight against Boko Haram insurgency, N17 trillion has been budgeted this year alone for the Nigerian military while lamenting the living conditions and welfare of the NA today compare to the past.
The Federal lawmaker however called on the Nigerian military to checkmate the activities of terrorists very well in the State and region as information reaching the government and National Assembly revealed that Boko Haram terrorists are voluntarily surrendering and weakening, while the ISWAP members are rather consolidating and strengthening gradually. Where if not checkered, they could tomorrow be a formidable force that will be difficult rid.
Ndume noted that apart from the National Assembly, even the presidency has been pressurized to continue to support the NA to accomplish its mandate across the country while stressing that , the National Assembly is ever determined to support the Nigeria Army.
He added that the National Assembly and Federal Government are fully aware of the difficulties and challenges the NA has been facing in terms of training, welfare, equipment, logistics, accommodation and mobility among others, pointing out that, that is why a lot of money has been expended in the NA and still being expended to fund and encourage the over 40,000 military personnel in the counter Insurgency.
While describing the counter Insurgency fight as a difficult and unconventional one, the Chairman said it is more or less a kind of gorilla war where lots of equipment, logistics, personnel and funds have been lost in the fight.
Responding, the Theater Commander JTF Operation Hadin Kai, Theater Command Headquarters Maimalari Cantonment Maiduguri, Major Gen. Chris G. Musa appreciated the Senate Committee’s visit and commended the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Army, Senator Ali Ndume for his representation of the NA at the National Assembly and Presidency.
He reassured the theater commands commitment and determination to bring to an end the 12 years Insurgency this year 2022, noting that, no stone will be left unturned in an effort to rid the stat and region of all criminalities and insurgency.
While at the 7 Division NA Maimalari Cantonment Maiduguri, rh Acting GOC, Maj. Gen. Abdulwahab A. Eyitayo appreciated the Senate committee members visit and appealed for more support to the NA to end the war.
He also thanked the federal lawmakers , service chiefs and presidency for thwi support and encouragement to the division in the fight against insurgency.
The Senate Committee on Army was earlier at the Government House Maiduguri Wednesday to pay a courtesy visit to Governor Zulum where it commended the governor for his unique and outstanding leadership as man of honour and dignity worthy of emulation.
The members appreciated the governor for his excellent performance despite the security challenges on ground in the state and assured the governor that the national assembly will continue to support the NA return permanent peace in the state and region while thanking the governor for his support and cooperation with the NA since he assumed office to date leading to the relative peace being enjoyed in the state.
In his remark, Governor Zulum thanked the Senate Committee for the visit and appealed to the lawmakers to impress on the NA to strengthen it’s capacity and operations against the new entrance of ISWAP in the state and region while BHTs are voluntarily surrendering.
Zulum also urged the military to intensify efforts to open Damboa Road , Malam Fatori, Abadam and Kukawa axis which is still being controlled by the BHTs as his government plans to resettle all the IDPs along the axis in order for them to start a new life even with or without livelihoods support with available Security.
The governor further commended the NA for its sacrififces and efforts in restoration of peace in many parts of the state compare to the past , noting that, the NA operations have been very vital and benefitting to communities in the restoration process.
