Jutha Gupah, Maiduguri July 7, 2018
The Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo has at the weekend said this year’s Nigerian Army Day Celebration (NADCEL), is an indication to end Boko Haram insurgency that had claimed many lives and property in the Northeast. The nine-year insurgency also displaced over 1.7 million Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) from Borno state. Osinbajo made the declaration at the opening ceremony of NADCEL, 2018 at the Kinasara Cantonment Monguno, Borno state, the epicentre of insurgency. He said the hosting of army celebration in the state, was a proof that; “the end of the Boko Haram terrorists group will come sooner than later.” Speaking at the mini Trade Fair and Military Equipment Exhibition (TFMEE); as part of lined up activities to mark NADCEL, he said that the Boko Haram terrorists have been substantially degraded for peace to return. According to him, Borno state and the Northeast will definitely bounce back with the support of the rest of the country to restore peace in the ravaged region of country. His words: “The bloodshed and destruction of property for nine years running, has come to an end with this army day celebration in Monguno, which was liberated by our troops among other communities in the Lake Chad Basin.” He further disclosed that the Sambisa forest, which was once a symbol of Boko Haram’s domination of the region, had been reclaimed, while the work of rebuilding had started in many liberated communities in Borno. Consequently, he said: “We are here today in Monguno to celebrate all of these wonderful successes, and progress. At a point, a few years ago, it felt as though the terrorists were succeeding. “As a result of the insecurity, social and economic life rolled to a halt in many parts of the state, as Boko Haram controlled 22 Local Government Areas; and acted like the de-facto government of the state. “The town of Monguno, which today is playing host to us, was a few years ago firmly in the hands of the terrorists.” According to him, the tide has turned on account of the gallant and heroic work of the Nigerian Army. He continued: “We are here to celebrate the gallantry of our soldiers, men and women from every part of Nigeria, of different faiths and tribes and tongues, gathered to fight and defeat a common enemy. “We are also celebrating the resilience of the people of Borno State, and reaffirming that our primary obligation to them, as a government, is to ensure that they are able return to their communities and rebuild their lives and livelihoods in peace and safety.” While; expressing delight over the progress by Operation Last Hold (OLH) to rid remnant of terrorists from Lake Chad Basin and Northern Borno, he said in the last three years, life was gradually returning to many communities. “Schools had reopened, airlines resumed flights, religious celebrations held, major roads and highways reopened,” he said. He said he had no doubts that NADCEL and events lined up to mark it in Monguno will go a long way towards changing the negative narrative of terrorism. According to him, hunger and danger that have defined the North Eastern part of Nigeria and the entire Lake Chad Basin for a decade, is over. Osinbajo also commended the army, which had fought wars at home and abroad, to secure the country, and keep it united, despite the suffered losses and setbacks. “With the success of yet another Army Day Celebration, this time in the heartland of a dying insurgency, Gen. Buratai has left no doubt about the quality of his leadership,” he said.
