Yobe State Governor, Mai Mala Buni; has lauded troops of Operation Lafiya Dole for fighting Boko Haram insurgency to restore peace and livelihoods in Yobe. The over a decade long insurgency, has also claimed 36,000 lives with property worth $9.2 billion (about N3.42 trillion) in Borno, Adamawa and Yobe states. Buni lauded the Army Friday; at a Christmas luncheon organised for troops by the Chief of Army Staff, Lt-Gen. Tukur Buratai at the Nigerian Army Special Forces (NASF) School, Buni/Yadi. Buni, who represented by his deputy, Idi Gubana disclosed that the security situation in the state had tremendously improved in 2020. He attributed it to the commitments of the military and other security agencies across the state. “Your troops had continued to make enormous sacrifices in ensuring that our state was safe and secured,” he said. He added that the state government was determined to support the military in smoking out terrorists from their hideouts. He noted that effort to put an end to indiscriminate killings of people and wanton destruction of property had achieved the desired results. According to him, the efforts of troops had provided an enabling environment for the implementation of government policies and programmes. He therefore urged the troops not to relent in their effort until the state and the entire North East are secured for people’s peaceful co-existence. While pledging for more support, Gubana said: “The commitment of this administration; was to support troops of Operation Lafiya Dole with logistics within the available resources.” According to him, the support to Army, was to fight Boko Haram insurgency to the finish and restore peace. Continued; he added: “We shall continue to support all other security agencies and to further strengthen the Civilian JTF and hunters for increased support of efforts to troops in the front lines. He urged the troops to put an end to the menace to lives and property in insurgency affected states. While responding, Buratai said the luncheon was to thank God for giving them good health to be part of the operation to restore security and peace in northeast and nation. “This Christmas luncheon was appreciate the doggedness and resilience of all Nigerian army officers and soldiers confronting various security challenges bedeviling the country,” he said. He lauded the professional conduct and determination of army troops to ensure that the terrorists and the criminals were dealt with once and for all. According to him, the successes recorded by troops deployed in ongoing operations nationwide and other internal security operations are commendable. “We’ve demonstrated professionalism, courage and determination in this endeavour,” he said, noting that it also has provided the enabling environment for socio-economic and political activities. He urged them not to rest on their oars; because the existing and even the emerging security threats are potent; and they must continue to be ahead of terrorists hibernating in Sambisa Forest, Mandara Hills of Gwoza and Madagali councils and the Lake Chad region.
