By Usman Shuaibu
Global Centre for Humanitarian Services Peace and Development (GLOHSPED) through its president, Mr Ogokeh-Green Collins has commended the military for its decisive action against the terrorist group in North East Nigeria.
The group gave the commendation in a statement yesterday.
However, it condemned the rising spate of aggression in the region targeting innocent civilians in local communities by the Boko Haram and Islamic State of West Africa (ISWAP). The group made this call through its president- Mr. Collins Ogokeh Green during the year (2020) inception and planning meeting in Abuja.
“Consequent on the withdrawal of its troops along the Cameroon borders by the Chad government barely one week, the neighboring town of Gamboru, Konduga and Kaga local government areas have witnessed renewed spate of attack by the insurgents during the first week of the year. The bravery and resilience of the military efforts have been commendable in quelling the terrorist onslaught. This is evident in the release of over 450 captives which are mostly children and women held hostages in their community and some that were abducted in 2015 by the insurgents during joint cordon and search operation of 5 and 29 Brigades and Chief of Army staff Special Intervention Battalion. The victims were provided with medical treatment by the military medical team and re-united with their family while others were handed over to the state Internally Displaced Persons officials.
“In similar vein, the combined troops of 217 Tank Battalion and 144 Battalion repelled attack of the criminal elements which disrupted the peace of residents of Michika town and Kopa in Madagali local government of Adamawa State. The timely intervention and superior firepower of the military neutralized the threats of the insurgents, resulted deaths of their member and withdrawal with different degree of sophisticated firepower, vehicles, supplies, drugs, first aid kits, bomb and improvised explosive devices recovered in both operations,” the statement reads.
Mr. Collins called on the military not to be deterred by the recent attacked on the convoy of Major General Olusegun Adeniyi in Auno, Maduguri last Monday and the casualty / death of their colleagues and upsurge of attack on soft target which resulted on deaths civilians especially in Monguno and Gamboru in which scores of lives were reportedly lost.
“ The inciting videos of killings capable of causing religious conflict and hostage of aid workers are acts of decimation which are not capable of dissuading or undermining the achievement of the military.
“ The success recorded by the operational Lafiya Dole and the combined efforts of The Nigeria Air Force in dismantling and destruction of the insurgents’ structures and supplies in their Kusuma hideouts at the fringes of Lake Chad is laudable. He stated that the counter offensive and strategic operations of the military are responsible for the peace, growing economic activities and liberation of the region in particular from the siege of Boko Haram and ISWAPs group.”
He called for sustained collaboration and support of relevant stakeholders, shared intelligence among the arms of the military, provision of reliable information by the civilians/locals and partnership with the local vigilante fighters involved in fight against terrorism by addressing claimed non-payment of their monthly stipends.
In conclusion, the group charged the military to intensify efforts to curbing the threats of the terrorist as Nigerians continue to applaud their sacrifice for the common peace, security and unity.
