Insecurity: Rights group laud Lagbaja over fight against terrorists

A coalition of civil societies organizations (CSOs) have applauded the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja over the inroads so far recorded in the fight against terrorists groups in the country.

The group under the aegis of the Conference of Civil Society for Peace, Security and National Development (CCSPSND) expressed satisfaction with the energy and motivation the chief of Army Staff has brought to bear on the fight against criminal elements in the country describing him as a commander who leads in the front.

Led by Dr. Adamu Muhammad, the group urged the chief of Army Staff to sustain the crackdown on criminal groups in the country stating that peace, unity and development cannot be achieved in an environment laced with insecurity.

It also stated that General Lagbaja has all it takes to end insurgency, banditry and other forms of criminality in the country having served as commander in most of the theaters of war in the country.

The group referred to the improvement of the welfare of the troops and their families through several welfare packages to keep troops focused on their duty posts as some of the milestones recorded since the emergence of Lagbaja as the chief of Army staff (COS).

The group noted: “Under the watch of the current chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja, the criminal activities of the infamous Indigenous People of Biafra ( IPOB) and the Eastern Security Network – ESN) in the southeast have been brought to an end.

“The sit-at-home declared by the proscribed group has been stopped through the heightened activities of operation Udoka, in collaboration with other stakeholders in the region.

“This has reopened the region to economic activities and restored normalcy in the region”.

“Soldiers have renewed their onslaught on insurgent BokoHaram /ISWAP leading to the killing of several kingpins, destruction of camps and arrest of many members of the insurgent groups in the regions.

“The clashes between the herders and farmers in the North Central states of Benue, Nassarawa and Plateau has reduced drastically due to the activities of the military.”

They thereby passed a vote of confidence on Lagbaja describing him as a remarkably adroit and determined soldier. The group commended his efforts and rejigging of the military and called on Nigerians to support the Chief of Army Staff General Lagbaja in his determination to end criminality in the country, stating that the end to the activities of such groups is in sight.