BMO commends military, solicits more local support for war against insurgency

The Buhari Media Organization (BMO) has commended the military authorities, soliciting more local support for the war against insurgency in the country. The group said the Military has arrived to ensure that the Boko Haram insurgency did not escalate to the 2013/2014 level, not only in Borno State but also in many parts of the country. This, it says, is contrary to the impression given by opposition elements that the insurgents have had more successes under the President Muhammadu Buhari administration. In a statement signed by the Chairman Niyi Akinsiju and Secretary Cassidy Madueke, BMO stressed that the Armed Forces deserve accolades from every patriotic Nigerian rather than condemnation. “We had a situation where the insurgents had firm control of 20 out of 27 local government areas between 2013 and 2014, during which, according to Borno state Governor Kashim Shettima, the state suffered its worst times. “The insurgents were then known to have carved out an Islamic Caliphate that covered three North-Eastern states and opted to use Gwoza, the biggest town under its control, with a population of 265,000, as the capital. “Boko Haram was so audacious that it targeted churches in various states on three Sundays in a row as well as launched bomb and gun attacks on the Kano Central Mosque, killing no fewer than 120 people. “This is just part of the security situation that the insurgents created before 2015 that has now been reduced to hit-and run attacks on military outposts”, the group said. BMO also commended the Buhari administration for showing political will in ensuring that the troops on the front lines get the required support, rather than being distracted by the upcoming elections. “We now know, based on testimonies from court sessions that just before the 2015 elections, billions of naira meant for arms purchase for the war against insurgency were shared to leading members of the then ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP) by the then National Security Adviser, Sambo Dasuki. “These were funds that could have improved the troops’ capacity and capability to deal a telling blow on the terrorists. “But under this administration, there has been more transparency in the purchase of military hardware including 31 aircraft in recent times, while 13 were reactivated and are back in the air in order to ensure that the armed forces have the necessary air power to wipe out the insurgents”. It also solicited local support for the military authorities to enable them tackle the resurgence of Boko Haram in parts of Borno State that were earlier liberated. “We have nothing but praises for Governor Shettima for taking the bold step of inviting all stakeholders ranging from traditional rulers to artisan groups to an extra-ordinary security meeting. “The outcome of that meeting, which the governor tagged ten-point demand, has now been presented to President Buhari who reassured the delegation of his administration’s support to overcome the insurgency in the North East”. Tom Okpe, Abuja