Despite Terror Attack on Mubi, Group Holds Rally in Abuja to Celebrate Nigeria’s Success in Terror War

Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja

Despite the suicide bomb attack on a mosque in Mubi, Adamawa State in the early hours tuesday, leading to the death of over 50 persons, a group, Coalition for Peace and Stability (COPS) yesterday marched from Wuse Market to the Presidential Villa to celebrate President Muhammadu Buhari on the successes achieved under his watch in war against terror.

The group said though the Nigerian military needs to do all within its powers to finish off the remnants of Boko Haram in the shortest time possible so that Nigeria would be in a position to celebrate total freedom from the blood-thirsty terrors.

The national Coordinator of the group, Abdulmumini Tijani, also the 80 per cent reduction according to the recent Global Terror ranking implies that there are still “20 per cent deaths that are needless.

According to him, “the Institute for Economics and Peace has however auspiciously accelerated our achievement of this objective when it released the Global Terrorism Index 2017. From what is in the news about the report, it shows that the number of those killed in terror attacks has reduced by 80per cent. What we understand by this is that eight out of every ten persons that Boko Haram or other terrorists would have killed are alive.”

He added that, “for us the Coalition for Peace and Stability, this is a testimony that President Muhammadu Buhari is committed to fulfilling his campaign promise of restoring security in the country. It is remarkable that keeping this promise has international impact because the global terrorism related deaths fell since the figures for Nigeria dropped. It is our earnest hope that this international impact will translate into positive gains like restored investors’ interest in Nigeria.

“We also expect that those supporting evil by providing sustenance to Boko Haram will see this report as reason to cut off the lifeline they provide to terrorists. Human life is precious and sacred and nothing should be done to cut it short for whatsoever reason.

“Our coalition is not only congratulating President Buhari on this positive report but also commends Mr. President for this achievement considering that most of the efforts that have gone into degrading and defeating Boko Haram are home-grown. The president was able to achieve the improvement in terrorism ranking without going cap in hand to beg for foreign intervention,” Tijani noted.

He expressed optimism that when the president and the military get more support, the remnants of Boko Haram can be further degraded to a point where they are not able to cause sorrows and tears among us anymore.

Addressing the rally at the Villa, Shehu Garba, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, thanked the group for their support to the anti-terrorism war of the current government.

“This is the kind of support the government needed as it works round the clock in ensuring a terror-free Nigeria. I must assure you that the president is not relenting on his words that Nigeria must be free from terrorism.

“In fact, our gallant military troops are working day and night to ensure that all our towns and villages are captured from the extremists. As I speak, I can boldly tell you that no local government in Nigeria is under the control of the insurgents,” he added.