Traditionally, Nigerian leaders spend Christmas and other public holidays holding lavish parties for friends and family but this year, given the challenges the military is facing, it has been more low key. Yesterday, defence minister Muhammad Dan-Ali and the army's top commanders spent the day in the trenches with their troops in appreciation of the sacrifices they are making.
A retired army brigadier himself, Mr Dan-Ali spent the day in Damaturu, the Yobe State capital where he assured soldiers of the government’s determination to provide the needed logistics to ensure an expeditious end to the Boko Haram insurgency. Sharing a Christmas lunch with the soldiers, Mr Dan-Ali acknowledged some of the challenges facing the operations and noted that most of the challenges were being addressed.
Mr Dan-Ali said: “While your welfare need is being addressed, I urge you to continue to adhere to all the rules of engagement in your operations. I want you all to note that your actions and inactions will be accounted for, you must therefore respect the rights of people in your host communities.”
Also, present at the Christmas get-together,, chief of defence staff, General Gabriel Olonisakin, commended the sacrifices of troops fighting on different fronts across the country. He said their contributions in the defeat of terrorism would not be forgotten in a hurry and urged the troops not to relent in their efforts to effectively end the insurgency.
General Olonisakin added: “We are gradually moving into 2016, therefore, we must not rest on our oars to win the war. As we move into 2016, I want to enjoin you to be more determined to reclaim all lost territories.
"That is the charge and demand on all of you as we enter the New Year. On our part we will do our best to ensure that all logistics and welfare required to prosecute the war to a logical conclusion were provided.”
Chief of army staff, Lt General Tukur Buratai, said the visit of the defence minister would boost the morale of troops in the ongoing operation. He noted that the situation in the troubled region has improved tremendously and attributed the feat to the sacrifices of the troops.
General Buratai added: “The security situation has greatly improved and I want to congratulate the troops for a job well done. We are entering the New Year and I believe that we will start winding down to conclude the operation.”
Yobe State deputy governor, Abubakar Aliyu, confirmed that the security situation had indeed improved in the state. He said unlike the previous festivities since the insurgency started, residents were able to celebrate the yuletide without fear of any attack from the insurgents.
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