By Sadiq Umar, Abuja.
President Goodluck Jonathan has applauded the Nigerian troops for the successes recorded against insurgents in Borno and Adamawa, assuring them of the government’s commitment to the welfare of the soldiers.
The President who vitsted Mubi, Adamawa State and Baga, in Borno, two towns earlier occupied by the Boko Haram insurgents, extolled the virtues of the Nigerian armed forces, saying Nigerians and indeed International Community have expressed concerns about the way the nation’s soldiers famous for its gallantry could be held to ransom by the insurgents.
Jonathan praised the troops for the speed with which they recapture territories formerly held by insurgents in the country’s North-Eastern states, attributing it to improved weaponry for the soldiers.
He said the soldiers would be duly rewarded for their bravery and patriotic service to the nation at the successful conclusion of ongoing operations against Boko Haram.
Jonathan, who was accompanied by the service chiefs and the National Security Adviser, Mr. Sambo Dasuki declared that he and all Nigerians were very proud of the bravery, competence and patriotism of the troops, assuring that due remuneration would be paid to them in line with military traditions.
He said that with their recent successes, which have overwhelmingly turned the tide against Boko Haram, the Nigerian military has proven beyond any doubt that it remains fully capable of defending the territorial integrity of Nigeria.
The military’s recent victories against Boko Haram, President Jonathan told the troops, have also proven conclusively that all those, within and outside the country, who cast aspersions on Nigerian soldiers and questioned their ability and willingness to overcome the insurgents were misinformed and wrong.
Mr. Jonathan, who was accompanied on the trip by the National Security Adviser, Sambo Dasuki and all the Service Chiefs, assured the troops that the Federal Government would ensure they received all the equipment and logistics they require to complete the ongoing mission to reassert government’s effective control over all areas formerly held by Boko Haram.
The President promised the soldiers that all issues pertaining to their welfare will be properly and expeditiously addressed.
Families of soldiers who had sadly lost their lives in battles against Boko Haram would also be well provided for, the President further assured the troops.
The soldiers responded to the President’s address with chants of “Never Again” and assured him that insurgents and terrorists will never again be allowed to take and hold any Nigerian territory.
While in Mubi, President Jonathan, accompanied by the Governor of Adamawa State, Bala Ngilari and the Minister of Youth Development, Bonnie Haruna, paid a courtesy call on the Emir, Isa Ahmadu.
He assured the Emir that the Federal Government would do all within its powers to ensure that normalcy was speedily returned to Mubi and other towns and settlements recently recaptured from Boko Haram to enable displaced persons return to their homes in the shortest possible time.
President Jonathan also undertook an aerial inspection of other towns and areas recently recaptured from Boko Haram including Monguno.
Before returning to Abuja, the President met and conferred with the Borno State Governor, Kashim Shettima, in Maiduguri.
