BMO rallies more support for troops, as terrorists surrender en masse
The continuing mass surrender of Boko Haram and ISWAP terrorists is a clear sign of the correctness of the new approach of the President Muhammad Buhari administration to the ongoing war against insurgency.
According to the Buhari Media Organisation (BMO), this is quite encouraging and the President, his military top brass and the troops deserve huge encomiums for their efforts.
The group said in a statement signed by its Chairman Niyi Akinsiju and Secretary Cassidy Madueke, that the military authorities deserve commendation for making the front lines hot for the terrorists.
“Like many Nigerians, we are pleasantly surprised to see how the armed forces have been quietly carrying out the President’s directive on the counter-insurgency operations and literally smoking out top Boko Haram commanders, as well as their foot soldiers, from their dens in the Sambisa Forest and the other enclaves around the Lake Chad.
“As of the second week of August, no fewer than 1000 terrorists and their families have been documented as having surrendered in the face of massive offensive by ground and air troops who have taken the battle to the insurgents.
“We invite Nigerians to note that the ongoing operations have been largely intelligence driven and has shown a clear inter-agency synergy that may have caught the terrorists unawares.
“So there is no shadow of a doubt that the military has seized the initiative and we agree with the conclusion of a notable defence analyst, Chidi Omeje that the terrorists have been boxed into a cul-de-sac, hence the recent trend of mass surrender.
“We however urge the relevant authorities to do what is necessary with the terrorists in line with international best practices,” the group added.
BMO also urged the leadership of the armed forces to sustain the onslaught and prove doubters wrong.
“We noticed that individuals and groups who preferred to mock officers and men of the armed forces rather than acknowledge their sacrifices in difficult circumstances have been unusually quiet.
“It is interesting to see that many of these people, including opposition elements, and so-called government critics who are always quick to share viral posts and terrorists’ propaganda videos have been stunned into silence.
“We are also at a loss on why the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) which has a habit of playing politics with security issues has not said a word on the military successes; or could this be because it would amount to acknowledging the President?
“Another group that seems to have lost its voice is the Amnesty International which has a habit of levelling all manners of allegations against the armed forces.
“However, we join all patriots to hail the efforts of every member of the air and land components of Operation HADIN KAI as well as the military authorities led by the Chief of Defence staff, Lt. General Lucky Irabor in proving that the Nigerian military is still a major military might.
“We urge them to go ahead and complete the job of routing out the insurgents in line with Presidential directives.”
BMO also reassured Nigerians that President Buhari would continue to provide the necessary leadership and logistic support to the armed forces.
