A group of Nigerians in the United Kingdom concerned about the security situation back home has pledged to work with the Nigerian military through intelligence gathering and development of software needed in the war against Boko Haram terrorists and other threats to peace in the North-East.

Acting Director of Defence Information, Brigadier General Rabe Abubakar, disclosed this in a statement issued yesterday in Abuja.

He said the pledge was made when the group, led by the Chairperson, House of Representatives Committee on Diaspora Matters, Hon. Barrister Rita Orji, made the pledge at the Defence Headquarters Abuja, during the presentation of an award to the Chief of Defence Staff, General Gabriel Olonisakin.

Abubakar quoted Orji as saying that the award was given to the CDS in appreciation of the gallantry and doggedness of the military in keeping the nation united despite predictions of the break-up of Nigeria before the 2015 general elections.

“She noted that Nigerians in Diaspora acknowledged the sacrifices the members of Armed Forces are rendering towards keeping Nigeria safe from insurgency and insecurity. The award of gallantry presented to the Chief of Defence Staff, according to Honourable Barrister Orji, was to say thank you to the members of Armed Forces through the CDS so as to spur the military to do more in this noble endeavour,” Abubakar said in the statement.

He said that while receiving the award, General Olonisakin expressed appreciation to the group for identifying with the military, “especially at this trying period in our nation’s history.” Olonisakin, according to the Defence Spokesman, stated that the award was for the Nigerian military, both the dead and the living, as well as members of their families who also bear the brunt of the insecurity in the North-East and other parts of the country.

“General Olonisakin noted that terrorism is a global phenomenon and therefore urged Nigerians in Diaspora and international community to rise up to challenges and join hands to wage war against insurgency and terrorism,” the statement said. It disclosed that present at the occasion, apart from the group of Nigerians in Diaspora, were some members of the House of Representatives Committee on Diaspora and Principal Staff Officers of the Defence Headquarters.

•Photo shows General Olonisakin.

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