President Muhammadu Buhari has said Nigeria is in final phase of the campaign against insurgents and other criminals.
He also urged troops of Operation Hadin Kai to remain steadfast as they go into the final phase of the campaign against insurgency and other forms of criminalities.
The president, according to a statement by his spokesman, Mr Femi Adesina, spoke when he addressed the troops at the Airforce Base in Maiduguri, Borno State yesterday.
He said: “I urge you also to stay focused to achieve our strategic end-state which is the defeat of all adversaries and restoration of an economically viable Northeast geo-political Zone and other parts of the country where Nigerians are free to go about their activities without fear or harassment.’’
The president assured families of soldiers who paid the supreme price for the nation and the injured that the Federal Government would cater for their needs, recognizing their sacrifices for all Nigerians.
“I am delighted to be with you today and to convey my gratitude and that of the entire nation to you all, as you continuously strive to secure our dear country.
“Your career is like no other because it is a conscious commitment and preparedness to give your best for the sake of others.
“I am therefore, here on behalf of a grateful nation to thank and commend you for your service and sacrifices.
“Let me start by commiserating with you all on the unfortunate loss of Brigadier General Dzarma Zirkushu and other personnel of 25 and 28 Task Force Brigades, who died on Nov. 13, 2021.
“I do this mindful of the fact that we have lost others in this Theatre of Operation as well as other operational areas across the country.
“We pray for the repose of their souls and for the Almighty God to comfort the families that they left behind.
“The people of Borno State and indeed the entire country owe a debt of gratitude to our serving men in uniform for the huge sacrifices in the pursuit of peace,” he said.
He maintained that the government would continue to ensure that the widows and children of fallen heroes were well catered for, to help them fully realize their potentials.
Borno State Governor Babagana Umara Zulum praised the commitment of the President to the people of Borno State through the trying times of the Boko Haram insurgency.
Zulum spoke glowingly of business mogul and philanthropist Mohammed Indimi whose multi-billion naira project at the University of Maiduguri was one of the projects inaugurated.
He said: “Mr. President has relentlessly demonstrated compassion towards Borno and we respectfully request that this is sustained because while other states across the country mostly have opportunities of moving forward, we are doing grappling with the problem of rebuilding destroyed infrastructure and facilities.
“In this regard, I will respectfully table three requests for Mr. President’s consideration:
“That Mr. President considers and directs the military, police, and paramilitary, to on special consideration, increase the recruitment of our youth volunteers, in order to enhance local involvement that can accelerate the combined restoration efforts of the Federal and State Government.
“That Mr. President considers and approves the establishment of a Federal college of education to be sited in southern Borno. Borno is currently one of the very few states without a federal college of education.
“That Mr. President kindly considers and directs the Federal Ministry of Communication and Digital Economy to address a major challenge of internet connectivity, which our host, the University of Maiduguri has been dealing with for many years.
“I am confident that Mr. President will in his usual fairness, empathy, and consideration of our huge challenges, look into these realistic requests,” Zulum said.
