By Chris Ochayi

ABUJA—Advocate of Peace and Egalitarian Society, led by Abdullahi Yanga, has commended the gallant and doggedness of the military under the Chief of Army Staff, COAS, General Tukur Yusuf Buratai, in confronting the dreaded Islamic sect, the Boko Haram insurgents in the North East zone.

Chief of Army Staff, Lt-Gen. Tukur Buratai

Yanga said in a goodwill to Nigerian military that the Gen. Buratai-led army deserve commendations on their selfless service to our country and nation, adding, “We should support their military engagements in making Nigeria safe and peaceful for all to live in safety as free citizens.”

Yanga who, also spoke on the recent bloody clash between the Nigerian Army and the Shiites group in Zaria, Kaduna State, said move by the members of Islamic Movement of Nigeria to block the army from using the highway was capable of sending a strong signals to enemies of Nigeria from within and outside to trample on Nigeria’s integrity.

“We all should learn to put national interest and our collective peace and security above that of individuals or group, an attempt to block road for a serving chief of the nation’s army is declaration of war against the only institution shouldered to preserve and protect the nation and its citizenry.

“Should the Army allowed itself to be cowed? If the nation’s Army Chief can be blocked from using public roads and made to retreat, it will be a doom for our dear nation and it will send a strong signals to enemies of Nigeria from within and outside to trample on Nigeria’s integrity.”

“We should not be unmindful of the fact that only an Army under able command of people like General Buratai that terror activities like that of “Boko Haram” and other related treasonable crimes will be combated to a halt.”

“Our Heroes past, our past and present leaders have laboured and sacrificed a lot to preserve, protect Nigeria’s unity and peaceful coexistence, the Buratai-led Army deserve commendations on their selfless service our country and nation, we should support their military engagements in making Nigeria safe and peaceful for all to live in safely as free citizens.

“As citizens of Nigerian nation, all must respect the constituted Authorities and respect public rights in our private/public, socio-religious obligations, the Army is the symbol of our safety and security, disrespecting or blocking the passage of military convoy can be equivalent to declaration of war against the Army/Nigeria.

“Leaders of religious organisation shall have to live up to their expected roles of moulders of better citizens not miscreants, no religion preaches arrant disregard to constituted authorities with nation’s boundary, the Army are our last defence fortress.

“The Nigerian Army headed by General Baratai have gallantly fought the “Boko Haram” terrorism that have been bedevilling the nation for six years to a halting ground level in less than six months.

Yanga added “In fact, then, those who are accusing the Buratai-led Army are the ones blaming the “Sect Movement” of incurring the crisis by blocking roads during their processions, why blaming the Buratai-led Army when the Movement commit same crime that ignite the same crisis that engulf them in previous government, different stroke for same offence?”