The Buhari Media Organisation (BMO) has hailed Nigeria’s security agencies for effectively, collaborating with one another in the ongoing military operations in the country.
This according to the group, has made it easier for troops to be more effective in dealing with the country’s security challenges.
In a statement signed by its Chairman Niyi Akinsiju and Secretary Cassidy Madueke, BMO said that the recent spate of successes is as a result of the synergy among security agencies.
“We have in recent times seen an improvement in military operations, especially in the ongoing war against insurgency which has seen as many as 5,000 Boko Haram terrorists surrender, alongside members of their families, in just a few weeks.
“This, from all indications, has to do with simultaneous, joint air and ground assault on the hideouts of the terrorists on the fringes of the Lake Chad, rather than the military sitting back and waiting for the insurgents to launch hit-and-run attacks.
“We also invite Nigerians to note that the ongoing operations against bandits in the North West is also a joint one that also includes operatives of the Department of State Service (DSS) and elite forces from other agencies.
“So the leadership of the security agencies deserves commendation for the renewed intra-agency support against insurgents, bandits and other criminal elements across Nigeria”, it added.
BMO also urged the defence authorities not to be distracted in their quest to stem the tide of insecurity.
“We have noticed that as the military are quietly going ahead with the operations against bandits in Zamfara, they are also having to contend with a number of distractions from some individuals and groups.
“One of them is the Islamic cleric, Sheikh Gumi who was quoted to have said military action would not work against the bandits, and later added that the criminal elements have perfected ways of escaping military assault on their forest hideouts.
“There is also the case of people sharing videos of mass graves ostensibly from Zamfara which could be interpreted to mean indiscriminate killings bordering on human rights abuses in the theatre of operation.
“And although the military has swiftly denied that the mass graves have anything to do with any ongoing operation, we want to reaffirm their message that Nigerian troops have been conducting themselves in line with international rules of engagement, even against those criminal elements.
“We also urge officers and men of the armed forces not to be distracted by Gumi’s position on military action against those who have proved by their action to be enemies of state”.
The group also solicited public support for the nation’s security agencies in their quest to address insecurity in some parts of the country.
