Nigeria @60: CISA Salutes Armed Forces, Solicits Better Welfare Conditions for Personnel

Nigeria @60: CISA Salutes Armed Forces, Solicits Better Welfare Conditions for Personnel

The Citizens Initiative for Security Awareness (CISA) has hailed the Armed Forces of Nigeria for their sacrifices in contending with the multiple security challenges currently assailing the country.

The group also requested the government to as a matter of urgency improve the welfare conditions of service men.

Chidi Omeje, National Coordinator, CISA, who said this while addressing a news conference in Abuja on Wednesday, however applauded the Nigerian troops for their brevity and gallantry in tackling the deadly challenges despite being overstretched.

He said, “Our dear country is currently assailed in many fronts by various enervating security challenges. In fact, never in the history has Nigeria been so buffeted with the multiplicity of internal security challenges, ranging from terrorism to armed banditry, herdsmen-farmers clashes, kidnapping, armed robbery, separatist agitation, cult and ritual killings, etc, as we are witnessing today.

“Never in its history, not even during the civil war, has our military been so stretched with the task of providing internal security assistance to the point of deploying troops to about 34 of the 36 states in the country, as is the case today.

“Who ever imagined that bandits will spring up from the uplands of the Sahel region to kill, kidnap and destroy lives and living of Nigerians in that axis? Who ever thought that after the 30 months bitter civil war that the ghost of Biafra will rise again in the form of separatist group called IPOB? Whoever believed that the clashes of farmers and herdsmen in the Benue belt will result to deadly outcomes, the type that we witnessed of late?

“Who ever imagined this sort of extremism, bestiality and savagery in our dear country? We only read or hear about such happenings in distant lands, far away from our clime! But the reality has dawn on us that we have caught the bug of contemporary security challenges that are in fact worse than those from the distant lands that we only read about!”

He added, “In all of these serious and deadly security challenges and threat to national unity and security, who else but the Armed Forces of Nigeria are called upon to protect Nigerians and defend the sovereignty of Nigeria? Who else are paying the ultimate price and taking bullets on our behalf if not our gallant troops?”

“Thanks to the Nigerian military for being able to contend with the relentless hydra-headed monster of insecurity that is so determined to destroy the peace and stability of our country. Thanks to our brave soldiers who have laid down their lives in defence of our country from fierce enemies and brutal adversaries.

Omeje, however noted that the gallantry of Nigerian troops has not been without huge costs as a number of soldiers have paid the supreme price, many others have lost their limbs or have been maimed for life, young families of military personnel have been thrown into mourning and sorrow, while many more soldiers are still in harm’s way.

Omeje said all Nigerian citizens owe the Armed Forces a world of debt, debt of gratitude, for taking the bullets on their behalf.

He further reiterated that the battle against insecurity is not the sole responsibility of the military. He stressed that every patriotic Nigerian has a role to play in the battle.

“The least every citizen can do at a time like this, is to show and express solidarity and unflinching support to our gallant troops. As citizens, we must ensure that their morale is boosted and their fighting spirit up”, Omeje added.