12 soldiers, vigilante commander bag merit awards in Yobe

From Uche Uche, Damaturu

The Nigerian military of the Operation Lafiya Dole, sector 11 in Damaturu, Yobe state has awarded certificates of merit to twelve soldiers and the commander of the vigilante group for their remarkable contributions in the fight against Boko Haram insurgents in the state through hard work, courage and act of gallantry.
The presentation of the awards was made during the annual cerebration of the Nigerian Army Social Activities, NASA 2019, which took place at the premises of the Sector 11 Operation Lafiya Dole in Damaturu, the state capital.
In his address of welcome, the Commander, Sector 2 Operation Lafiya Dole, Major General Suleiman Idriss stated that the celebration was aimed at boosting the morale of men and officers of the Nigerian Army through socializing with them and appreciating their efforts.
He used the occasion to commend Yobe State government and governor for the support rendered to the military and further reiterated the commitment of the Nigerian Army to end insurgency in Yobe in particular and the North East at large.
“We commend the support and cooperation rendered to us by Yobe state government and the good people of the state which has led to the present achievement of the Nigerian Army in fighting Boko Haram.” he stated,
Speaking during the occasion, the state governor, Hon. Mail Mala Buni, represented by his Special Adviser on Security Matters, Brig. Gen. Dahiru Abdul-Salam(rtd, appreciated the efforts and gallantry being display by the army in the fight against insurgency in the state and the successes already achieve while urging for new strategies that would lead to final defeat of the terrorists in the state.
He pointed out that Yobe State government has been a close ally of security agencies towards ensuring peace and – highlighted some of the efforts made in this regard to include establishment of Yobe Peace Group, procurement of operational vehicles for the security personnel among others, provision of welfare assistance to the security agents in the state.
He said: “Let me use this medium to express our appreciation for the giant efforts the security operatives are making to curb insurgency in Yobe. he said and also suggested that the security operatives should adopt new way of fighting Boko Haram in the state so that the remnants of the insurgents would be totally eliminated.
“The security should make the war against insurgents a population centric, that is to involve local people in sourcing information regarding security situations in local communities and blocking the strong areas of the Boko Haram terrorists among others.” the governor stated further.