It is now one year of fierce, intense and aggressive battle, by
the Nigerian military, with Boko Haram insurgents, since the inauguration of
the administration of Maj-Gen Muhammadu Buhari, retd.
True to his promise
during his electioneering campaigns and indeed in his inauguration speech, the
president has fought gallantly, through the military, the insurgency in the
North East, for which the president deserves due commendation and
encouragement.
It is said by the military that as of today, there is no
territory of Nigeria that is under the exclusive control or domain of Boko
Haram, save some pockets of resistance in Sambisa forest.
Gradually, peace is
returning to the North East region, thanks to the rugged courage, determination
of the president and the gallantry of the military and indeed the prayers of
many Nigerians. The sporadic attacks that used to characterize that region have
gradually subsided.
Many schools are being rebuilt, roads are being opened, to
grant access to the indigenes and many of the displaced persons are being
resettled in their various communities.
True to his character, experience and vocation, the president
has tackled the Boko Haram insurgency, with determination, with focus and
purposeful leadership, although with manifest casualties on both sides. Indeed
on July 23, 2016, it was reported that about 20 officers and soldiers were
missing, whilst some others were shot or wounded, due to an ambush by the Boko
Haram fighters.
Our hearts and prayers go to the president, the military and
indeed the families of these very gallant soldiers, believing firmly that in
due course, they will all be rescued alive, by the power and grace of God.
However, one year after the president declared total war on Boko
Haram, it is now clear that this monstrous organization may not be totally
defeated, abruptly. It would seem, from all indications, that it will require a
long drawn out war, for which we trust that our president and the military are
well equipped and prepared.
It is in the light of this that I am urging the
president to seize the momentum of the victory being recorded against the
insurgents, to extend an olive branch, to their accredited and authentic
representatives, for some reprieve, by way of amnesty.
After all, Boko Haram once named the president himself as their
chief negotiator, in the last dispensation. So, in the same way that the
president is engaging the Niger Delta militants, he should extend same to the
insurgents, to achieve sustained peace, which will in turn put an end to the
deplorable crises being experienced in the various IDP camps and indeed usher
in development in the North East region.
I join other Nigerians to commend the president, for the
victories so far recorded against the terrorists, even though this would have
been better celebrated with the rescue of the Chibok girls.
This has indeed
reinforced the view in many quarters, that the president would have been better
placed as a minister of defence, in a true democratic environment.
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