…Senate Hails Army

Omololu Ogunmade in Abuja The Senate yesterday hailed the breakthrough recorded by the Nigerian armed forces in the battle against insurgency in the North-east and encouraged them to sustain the effort in the struggle to rid the nation of the terror group Boko Haram.

The decision was the fallout of a motion by an All Progressives Congress (APC) senator, Maina Maiji Lawan (Borno North), who expressed utmost happiness over what he described as the military’s successful exploits in the region.

This, he said, had resulted in the liberation of many communities hitherto occupied by the insurgents.

Lawan, who raised the matter through Order 43 in the Senate Standing Rules,

said of the countless number of communities invaded by the insurgents, only Bama and Gwoza still remained under their control.

He raised the motion before word got out that Bama, Borno’s second largest city, had been recaptured by the military yesterday.

Lawan explained that people of the area could now heave a sigh of relief from the snare of terrorism, which he said had held them captive.

Lawan further said if the Senate had deemed it fit to criticise the military when it was perceived to be underperforming, it was only right for it to also praise them after recording some heroic acts.

“As this chamber is aware, I have come several times on the subject of the insurgency from terrorist takeover of Baga, to direct threats to state capitals and various locations.

“Twenty local governments were inaccessible to Nigerian authorities; painful as it might have been, we elicited the support of this Senate in all the issues.

“It is only fair that Mr. (Senate) President that this time around, when there is some cheering news, I should mention this to this Senate.

“I want to say that several territories hitherto inaccessible to Nigerian authorities have been liberated - Monguno, which is a high military zone housing a whole brigade of the Nigerian Army, has been liberated. Baga, my hometown, has been liberated. The effort is ongoing and I think that it is only fair that no matter what is left, it is important that we appreciate what is being done and I want to say that our troops are much more up and doing and we appreciate that effort.

“And we ask them to do more so that in the areas that they have liberated, mopping up is concluded for the communities to go back.

“I am very sure that very soon, we will hear good news from Bama and Gwoza because they are the two main areas that are outstanding. I want to say that I appreciate all the support of the Senate. Frankly speaking, I want to say that we are solidly behind our troops,” he said.

Lawan was echoed by another senator from the region, Senator Bukkar Abba-Ibrahim (Yobe East), who said the military's gallantry in the fight against the insurgency deserved commendation.

“I rise to fully support what Senator Maina has said. All the details he has given are correct with the exception of Bama and Gwoza. There is not a single local government in the North-east under the Boko Harm control.

“Even Gulani and Gujuba have been liberated even though my house is still occupied by their wives and their children, but we will allow them to stay on humanitarian grounds.

“So I am in total support and there is need for us to show total appreciation for what is happening not only to Nigeria, but also Chad and Cameroun. We must also appreciate what they have done,” he said.

In the same vein, Senator Ali Ndume (Borno South) said it was very necessary to praise both the military and the federal government whom he said were once vilified when there was an upsurge of terrorism in the area, adding that the morale of the military needed to be boosted to enable them win the entire war.

“We have been crying out together for the government and the armed forces to do something and we have given them the support that is necessary in order to execute and win this war.

“Results have started coming and we have seen it everywhere. Yesterday, I had to travel from Maiduguri to Kano by road. There is clearly a visible difference between what it used to be six months ago and now.

“In fact, in Milo, one of the villages that was completely abandoned, their market was thriving and the residents are returning.

“Two days ago, when I got to Benishe, even political activities had started picking up in those areas. As distinguished Senator Maina said, we condemned what was happening and results have started coming, so this Senate should also stand up to commend the Nigerian Armed Forces and the leadership for the great job they have been doing.

“In terms of meeting whatever they need, especially now that we are working on the budget, we must encourage the Nigerian Armed Forces not only to win this war but also put them in a position such that in the event that anything like this comes up again, they will be combat ready.

“The challenge we faced is that the Nigerian Army did not anticipate this kind of situation and therefore did not prepare for it and were not equipped for it.

“But despite that, they were able to stand up to the occasion and I want to say as a barracks boy that I am proud of the Nigerian Armed Forces," Ndume said.

Encouraged by the submissions of the senators, Senator Chris Anyanwu (Imo East) said: “What we have seen this morning is statesmanship and that is the way it should be and I want to say that we are proud of them (the senators) for having the courage to speak the truth this time.

“It is important that when things were not going right that you had the courage to speak out and that did help Nigeria a lot, especially the armed forces.

“Also now, against the grip of even their political parties, they are able to speak out and that is the way it should be.”

Anyanwu also said the recent successes recorded by the security forces had gone a long way to prove that President Goodluck Jonathan knew what he was saying when he requested a few more weeks to squarely face the battle against Boko Haram, and commended the Nigerian Armed Forces, while urging them not to relent as they flush out the insurgents.

In his remarks, Senate President David Mark thanked the northern senators who brought up the matter and echoed Anyanwu that the senators were courageous to stick to the truth when the going was unpleasant and yet exhibited the same courage now that there is progress.

He concurred that kudos should be given to the military for again bringing to bear their well known international reputation as gallant soldiers.

He also commended Nigeria’s neighbours who have teamed up with the Nigerian military as well as the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) in the battle against the terrorists.

“Let me thank Senator Maina Lawan and all of you who have spoken. When things were not going very well, you had the courage to speak out as one united Senate and when things improved, I think you should also have the courage to say that things have improved.

“We must commend our boys and girls who are in the field, who have been going through this hardship. Clearly, with the right platform, the armed forces in this country will prove themselves that they are worthy of the international reputation that they have earned.

“I must also commend the regional forces that have come to cooperate with us – Chad, Niger and Cameroun – not only for their assistance but for the cooperation because it takes much more than just desire to operate together because particularly they are French speaking and we are Anglophones.

“It is a good regional effort and we must commend ECOWAS for this wonderful cooperation. Finally, I think that we must encourage our boys and girls in the field out there to bring this to a quick logical conclusion,” Mark said.