The Amir of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat of Nigeria, Alatoye Azeez, has urged Nigerians to unequivocally support the nation’s armed forces in their ongoing battle against insurgency and banditry.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Sunrise program on Saturday, Azeez described any collusion between citizens and criminals as “ungodly” and a betrayal of the sacrifices made by Nigerian soldiers.
“We can’t be colluding with bandits, terrorists, turning them against the soldiers. That is so ungodly and that is a lack of sense of sacrifice because as they are sacrificing themselves, we also have to sacrifice ourselves by supporting them fully,” Azeez said.
He stressed the importance of collective responsibility in backing the military, noting that many soldiers continue to risk and lose their lives in the line of duty without receiving the level of national support they deserve.
Reflecting on the lessons of sacrifice symbolized by the Eid-el-Adha festivities, the Amir highlighted a perceived disconnect between the sacrifices made by soldiers and the support provided by the broader Nigerian population.
“Unfortunately, the soldiers sacrifice their lives on the war front, but I do not see that level of sacrifice from the nation backing them up. It’s like we are pushing them forward to war fronts. But we are turning back from them and leaving them alone,” he said.
He called on all citizens to offer comprehensive support to the military, emphasizing that backing soldiers involves more than just providing ammunition; it requires a unified stance from every Nigerian.
Azeez also called for enhanced public enlightenment campaigns to complement government efforts in tackling insecurity.
“We need to do a lot of the national orientation, and I also agree with Mr. President that we must provide that support,” he added, underscoring the need for a broad-based societal commitment to security.
In a related development, President Bola Tinubu urged Nigerians to pray for the country’s military personnel engaged in combating terrorism and banditry. During Eid-el-Adha prayers at Dodan Barracks in Lagos on Friday, the President emphasized the importance of collective sacrifice and unity.
“We should remember to pray and give to those who are very vulnerable in the spirit of the season, which is sacrifice,” he said.
The President further called on citizens to remain supportive and compassionate, particularly toward the troops.
“They are making sacrifices in the challenges that we face from terrorism and banditry today. We must pray for them specifically, remember their sacrifices, and continue to behave well as citizens,” he stated, as reported by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.
Both Azeez and President Tinubu’s statements underscore a shared concern about the necessity for national solidarity in the face of security challenges and reflect a call for greater public engagement and moral support for Nigerian troops.
