Stand With Us, Say No to Criminality, Military Appeals to Nigerians

•Ekpa’s arrest is proof Nigeria winning war against terrorism, says information minister  

•Obi laments rising insecurity

Chuks Okocha and Linus Aleke in Abuja

The Nigerian military have appealed to the citizens to stand together with the armed forces and other security agencies in tackling the menace of insurgency, terrorism, kidnapping, banditry, cultism, and separatist agitations, and say no to criminality.

Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Christopher Musa, made the appeal while delivering a keynote address at the Security and Emergency Management Award 2024, sixth edition, which held yesterday at Defence Headquarters (DHQ), Abuja.

Musa stated that the country might not be where it ought to be at the moment, but  it was progressively heading towards its desired destination.

That was Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, said Simon Ekpa’s arrest by the Finnish government was proof that Nigeria was winning the war against terrorism.

But the presidential candidate of Labour Party (LP) in the last general election, Peter Obi, lamented the increasing spate of insecurity in Nigeria.

According to the CDS, “The armed forces and other security agencies need the support of the public who are everywhere. The threats we face as a country are multifaceted, ranging from terrorism and insurgency to socioeconomic issues and community unrest.

“Arising from these complex dynamic, it has become increasingly evident that no single institution can solve these issues in isolation, no one can do it alone, we must collaborate together as Nigerians.”

Musa explained, “The threats we are facing is not peculiar to Nigeria alone but the whole of humanity is been threatened. Therefore, we must all stand together and say no to act of banditry, kidnapping and terrorism.

“For us in the armed forces we must remain impartial and accountable always. We want to assure Nigerians that the armed forces of Nigeria is for Nigerians, we are here to protect democracy.”

The CDS, who was also honoured in the award of excellence category, assured that the Defence Headquarters will continue to refine its humanitarian responses to bolster its capability and provide early assistance to affected communities across Nigeria.

Earlier, Idris appealed to Nigerians to be patient with President Bola Tinubu’s administration, as all his policies and programmes were geared towards bettering the lives of the citizens.

Stating that the military was winning the war against insurgency and other emerging security threats, the minister said the arrest of Ekpa by the Finnish authorities was an indicator that Nigeria was winning the anti-terrorism war.

Represented by Director General, Voice of Nigeria (VON), Jibrin Ndace, the minister cautioned against undue criticism of the armed forces on account of the actions of an insignificant number of bad eggs in the system. He stressed that such unguarded comments were capable of lowering the morale of troops on the battlefield.

In his address of welcome, the organisers of the award and publisher PRNigeria, Mallam Yushau Shuaib, said the annual event recognised outstanding gallantry, contribution to safety, security and emergency management in Nigeria.

Obi Laments Rising Insecurity in Nigeria

Obi bemoaned the increasing spate of insecurity in the country. He challenged the security agencies to endeavour to end the menace before it consumed Nigeria.

In a statement, Obi said, “It is very saddening and heart-breaking that the wave of insecurity has continued to sweep through every part of the country with no end in sight.

”The situation is even added to the harrowing hardship the people are going through, yet they cannot even sleep with their two eyes closed. More heart-breaking is the fact that our critical infrastructure is often targeted by these merchants of terror who have no regard for human lives.”

The former governor of Anambra State stressed, ”Just a few days ago, I read a harrowing report about the killing of about 30 persons by terrorists, in separate attacks on communities in two local government areas of Benue State.

”Yesterday, I was shocked by the reports of the unfortunate terror attack on the motorcycle showroom of Innoson Vehicle Manufacturing in Nnewi, Anambra State, where about 3 members of the staff were also kidnapped.

”One very pertinent question that has continued to bother every well-meaning Nigerian is: “Where are we headed as a nation with this level of insecurity?

“It is even more worrisome and discouraging that in the face of the severe economic hardship facing our nation, our productive business facilities are attacked.

”This is a time when foreign investors are leaving the country in their numbers; our few resilient local investors still have to face a frightening level of insecurity and other challenges for them to remain in business.

”We must not continue to allow this mindless waste of human lives and attack on our businesses and critical infrastructure, across the country. We must end this monster of insecurity before we are all consumed.”