By Dipo Olowookere
Nigeria’s Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Buratai, has been commended for effecting the immediate and total payment of salaries and all operational allowances of troops currently involved in the military’s Operation Lafiya Dole in the insurgency troubled North Eastern part of the country.
According to the National Committee of Yoruba Youth and the Coalition of Civil Society Groups against Terrorism in Nigeria, this action is a welcome development that should be applauded.
In a statement jointly signed by Comrade Odeyemi Oladimeji and Princess Adeyinka Adedayo, the two groups lauded the leadership of the Nigerian Army for prioritizing the welfare of officers and men of the Nigerian Army, an action they said have enhanced the capacity of Nigerian troops in the war ravaged region to tackling the remnants of the dreaded Boko Haram group, who are still embarking on isolated attacks in some parts of the region.
The groups noted that the action of the Nigerian Army leadership has laid to rest rumour and unfounded speculations of some ‘failure’ of the army to pay the salaries and operational allowances of its officers and men as at when due.
“We want Nigerians to by this latest development clearly understand the untiring commitment of the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari to the war against terrorism and its resilience, towards bringing a total end to the Boko Haram insurgency,” the statement said.
“We believe that the commitments of the Army leadership towards the welfare of its officers and men is a major instrument of calling for more patriotic commitment to the war against Boko Haram and the protection of our lives properties and the territorial integrity of our dear country against all forms of internal and external aggressions,” it added.
Concluding, the groups said, “We are forever thankful to President Muhammad Buhari for the resilient effort of his government for the ample political will to ending the insurgency.”
