The Chief of Defence staff (CDS) General LEO Irabor in his continued consultations with the Military Veterans of the Armed Forces of Nigeria in the various Geo-political Zones of the country, has affirmed that the Armed Forces of Nigeria remained at the forefront in tackling the myriad of security threat confronting the nation.
He stated this while interacting with the retired senior military officers in the North Central Geo-political Zone held on 18 August 21 in Makurdi, Benue State.
In the same vein, while in Yola, Adamawa State North East Geo-political Zone on 24 August 2021, General Irabor hails citizens’ support, urged not to entertain fears on surrendered insurgents as he engaged senior retired officers on security parley. He expressed his appreciation to the citizen and residents of the Zone for genuinely supporting the ongoing intensive clearance operations by troops of the Armed Forces of Nigeria towards the restoration of permanent peace in the Zone. He equally allays fears of the general public on the ongoing mass surrender of Boko Haram and Islamic State of West Africa Province ex-fighters.
In a related development, on 27 Aug 2021, the CDS held a security interaction with the retired senior military officers from the South-South Geo-political Zone in Asaba, Delta State. The CDS maintained that the military remains at the forefront of leading the war against every form of criminalities as the Constitution avail the Armed Forces the mandate of supporting the civil authority. He stressed that the retired senior officers are the best hands, most qualified in the fight against insecurity and champion of peace and security in the Country. He urged them to join hands with the military to bring lasting peace to the Country. He said security challenges in the Niger Delta needed a holistic approach and called on stakeholders to contribute their quota.
In another development, the Chief of Defence Staff General LEO Irabor In his quest to entrench a lasting peace in Plateau State, undertook a working visit to Jos on 1 September 2021. He held a stakeholders meeting with the Plateau state Governor, Simon Lalong and all the traditional rulers, religious leaders and community leaders in the State at Government House Jos where discussions were held on the security challenges in Plateau State. The discussions largely successful as all stakeholders pledged their support for peace in the state.
He thereafter paid a visit to the palace of the traditional rulers of Jebbu Miyango Community the Mbra Ngwe Rt Rev Ronke Aka and that of Anaguta Community HRM Pozo Johnson Jauro Magaji the Uja of Anaguta, where he commiserated with the traditional rulers and the people of those communities on the recent unfortunate incidents in their domains. The visit was another success story in the CDS non-kinetic initiatives in achieving peace and stability in the country.
CDS Irabor said; “The Armed Forces of Nigeria remains steadfast in the fight against all forms of criminality in different parts of the Country. The Military High Command appreciates the continuous sacrifices of the troops in the various theatres of operation across the Country. It salutes their courage, resilience and commitment towards achieving sustainable peace in the Country.
“We appreciate the general public and the press for their continued support and further encourage all to avail the Armed Forces with credible and timely information that will facilitate proactive engagements in all the theatres of operation across the country”.
