A group, the
Northern Youth Leaders Forum (NYLF) has said that the fall of Sambisa Forest
and defeat of the Boko Haram terrorists will revive the economy in the north
east, as investors who hitherto left will be encouraged to return. The youths
also commended the army for its resilience and sacrifices that led to the
victory over the insurgents.
Speaking
during a press conference in Kaduna, National President of NYLF, Alhaji Adadu
Adadu said the defeat of the terror group united Nigerians of conscience along
religious and ethnic lines.
He said the defeat of Boko Haram is an event that
has brought 2016 to a close on a positive note irrespective of any other
unpleasant experiences we might have had as a people during the year. “The
Northern Youth Leaders Forum (NYLF) heartily thanks the Nigerian Army, all the
other military services, the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt Gen Tukur Buratai
and other military chiefs for defeating the enemies of Nigeria.”
“Boko Haram
killed without thoughts for their victims’ ethnicity, creed or geographical
origin. It was a thorn in our flesh collectively and the Army has therefore
brought relief to us all and not just a particular location or people. The joy
from this act of valour is across board.”
“It is remarkable that Boko Haram was
defeated against all odds. NYLF had at
some point in the past appealed to the Nigerian Army not to be distracted by
those reading political meanings into its action. We had also in the past urged
the COAS not to slow down in his zeal on account of propaganda mounted against
him by Boko Haram sponsors and sympathisers.”
Speaking further, he said, “There
were other occasions when we acknowledged the progress being made in the war in
spite of propaganda to the contrary. We are happy that our counsel was not in
vain and the Army has gone on to demonstrate that the state is supreme above
crises entrepreneurs.”
“That the army and the COAS hearkened to our appeals and
those of like-minded Nigerians in the past to keep up the fight gives us great
joy. It showed a leadership and institution that is responsive to the populace
it is securing. For this we say thank you the Nigerian Army and the COAS.” He
lamented that the Boko Haram insurgency killed economic activities same way it
killed many enterprising young minds, sating incidence of unemployment and
poverty became more acute in the north as the madness of this murderous group
drove off existing investors while making it impossible to attract new one. He
said, “youths that were not killed in attacks were forced to flee to other
parts of the country for safety before considering how to eke out living. General
Buratai has restored the hope that Nigeria but particularly the north in this case can again return to being
an investment hub.
“We realise that this cannot happen overnight but the defeat
of Boko Haram terror group is a new beginning towards this goal.” Adadu however
appealed to Nigerians to speak against any attempt by fleeing Boko Haram
fighters who would still attempt to cause outrage if only to provide openings
for their sponsors to start casting doubts on their group’s demise. He said
Nigerians must also be vigilant to furnish security agencies with information
that could assist in the capture of fleeing Boko Haram members.
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