Nigerien soldiers
pictured patrolling near the Nigerian border in 2015, when the country was
first plagued by Boko Haram attacks in its southeast region (AFP
Photo/Issouf
Sanogo)
The Peoples
Democratic Party (PDP) national caretaker committee has described the defeat of
the Boko Haram by chasing them out of the Sambisa forest as a great milestone
in the fight against insurgency in the country.
In a statement
signed by its spokesman, Dayo Adeyeye, the party, however, noted that the
success resulted from the strong foundation laid by the Goodluck Jonathan
administration.
The statement
pointed out that the boost recorded by the war against insurgents was what made
it possible for the 2015 general elections to hold in those war-ravaged parts
of the North Eastern parts of the country.
The PDP also stated
that the clearing of the Sambisa forest is a critical milestone but not the
end of the war
against the insurgency.
It urged the Federal
Government and the military to not rest on their oars until the entire North
East is rid completely of them.”
“Beyond Sambisa all
the other forests which criminals used as hideouts and bases must equally be
cleared by the military. Forests such as Birnin Gwari, Zamfara, Southern
Kaduna, Enugu and Benue have become killing fields. They must all be cleared of
criminal elements.” The statement added.
The opposition party
said: “We congratulate Nigerians for this important milestone in the long and
bitter struggle against the forces of evil that have wreaked so much suffering
and hardship on our people in the last few years.
“We also congratulate
the President for his dogged pursuit of the war against the insurgency. We are
happy that he has built on the efforts of his predecessors. Whatever we are
witnessing now is as a result of all the efforts and sacrifices of the past and
present.
“Nigerians and the
international community will recall that the war effort received a major boost
in the weeks leading up to the 2015 general elections. The insurgents were
virtually annihilated – a feat that made it possible for elections to hold
peacefully in almost all the Local Government Areas of all the states in the
North East last year. We are therefore very much delighted with the
continuation of this great effort by the President.”
It continued: “We
salute the men and women of our beloved armed forces. Their courage,
determination and sacrifice made this achievement possible. The men and women
of the Nigerian armed forces have served and continue to serve with distinction
in many peacekeeping operations all over the world. We salute them for fighting
with great courage to keep the peace in their own Country.
“We also thank the
international community for their support and encouragement particularly, those
countries that have helped in the procurement of critical military hardware.
Guadian
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