‘Chibok Girls’ Release, Big Morale Booster to the Military’

The Concerned Professionals’ Congress (CPC) has said the successful negotiated release of 82 Chibok schoolgirls from Boko Haram terrorists is a major morale booster to the courageous Nigerian troops currently engaged in counter-terrorism operations in the North-east.

The civil advocacy group which stated this yesterday in a statement made available to THISDAY, said against the backdrop of the girls’ release and the changes in the leadership of Operation Lafiya Dole, the successful negotiations for the girls’ freedom is a major morale booster to the troops.

In the statement issued and signed by CPC Chief Media Strategist, Emeka Nwakpa, Coordinator of the group, Tukur Musa Tilde, said apart from boosting the morale of the troops, the release of the girls has further raised the profile of the Nigerian military without whose determined resolve and resilience to hunt down the members of the sect, it would have been impossible to force the terrorists to the negotiation table.

The group maintained that Sambisa Forest finally fell following the military’s sustained ground and air bombardments resulting in several heavy casualty suffered by the terrorists which led some of their commanders to be captured, injured or killed, “a situation which forced some of the sect members to surrender in droves to embrace the Operation Safe Corridor which the military high command created as a facility to absorb them for rehabilitation, re-integration and de-radicalisation.”

According to CPC, “The point is worth-stating that but for the determined efforts of our troops some of whom have paid the supreme price, it would have been near-difficult, if not impossible, for the Boko Haram terrorists to agree to come to the negotiation table. Our military has proved to be as asset to the nation at this crucial, critical and defining moment in our history as a nation. The girls’ release is a reward for their courage, hard work and professionalism.