The All Progressives Congress (APC) has commended the Service Chiefs for showing leadership by example by personally taking charge of the ongoing stepped-up fight against Boko Haram, calling the development a breath of fresh air in the counter-insurgency battle.

In a statement issued today in Abuja by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the party said the widely published report that the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai, and the Chief of Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, are personally coordinating the efforts of their troops in the theatre of war is the best news to have emerged from the frontline of the Boko Haram battle.

The party said: “There can be no bigger boost to the morale of the gallant troops who are combating Boko Haram than the sight of their Service Chiefs personally leading the charge from one village to another battling the insurgents or flying in a reconnaissance aircraft coordinating the various NAF platforms involved in the operation to provide close air support to ground forces.

“By their actions, Lt.-Gen. Buratai and Air Marshal Abubakar have shown that they care deeply for their troops and are determined to lead them to beat the deadline set by President Muhammadu Buhari to end the Boko Haram insurgency.”

APC described the Service Chiefs and the troops they are leading as a pride to the military and indeed to Nigeria. It reiterated its earlier call on Nigerians to continue to support, in all ways possible, the nation’s gallant men and women who are making every sacrifice, including the supreme sacrifice, to keep the country safe.

The party has also commended the State Governors, “mostly in the North-West, who have decided to work together to address the security challenges in the area, especially the worsening cases of cattle rustling that cuts right into the artery of the economic well being of the people of the region.”

It said the efforts, which have led to the recovery of over 3,000 cows and the arrests of some bandits by the joint security task force set up by the states, must continue unhindered.

“Cattle rustling and the other security challenges in the North-west in particular are all inter-linked and must be addressed holistically. This is why we are delighted that the Governors of states within and outside the North-West - Kaduna, Zamfara, Katsina, Kebbi, Niger, Kano and Sokoto – have decided to pool their resources to ensure that there is no hideout for criminals or terrorists,” APC said.

•Photo shows Service Chiefs.

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