Boko Haram: Army Urges Nigerians To Form Vigilance Groups In Localities

The Nigerian Army on Sunday, appealed to Nigerians to team up with the military in its efforts to end the Boko Haram insurgency.

Making the appeal in an interview with NAN in Maiduguri, Maj.-Gen. Yushau Abubakar, the Theater Commander, Operation “Lafiya Dole”, said one of the key roles the people could play was volunteering vital information
Abubakar explained that the anti-terrorism war could not succeed through military operations alone.
“I want to inform all that this operation should not be seen as purely military; it should be seen as an inclusive peace operation, where everybody has a role to play.
“This battle can best be won at the quickest time with the co-operation of all stakeholders.
“We need information; we need co-operation; we need synergy, we need support, support in the sense that we have lots of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), which I believe, good Nigerians, good organisations, either domestically or internationally, can always come to assist.
“While this is being done, the military is faced with the task of degrading, destroying and arresting the terrorists”, he said
The commander said that wealthy individuals and corporate organisations, should also assist by providing logistics to the military to aid its operations.
“In a situation where you find us in more areas than expected, then our attention will be diverted, that is why we need the co-operation of other stakeholders.
“About two weeks ago, Toyota Nigeria Limited came and made a donation; such support will enhance our efficiency”, Abubakar said.
He also advised Nigerians to form vigilante groups in their localities and places of work, to prevent terrorists’ attacks.
“We are appealing to everybody to take charge of security of his or her environment by being vigilant and reporting strange happenings.
“The military will do all it takes to secure the society, but Nigerians must help out by being vigilant”, he added.
He lamented that spate of explosions in motor parks in spite of the fact that the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), is one of the strongest unions in Nigeria in terms of membership and organisation”.
“Unfortunately we always have challenges or cases of bomb blasts in motor parks.
“I will appeal to NURTW, market organisations and religious bodies that security should be our collective responsibilities”, he said.
He however commended Nigerian journalists for their support in the anti-terrorism war.
“It is important that we should always be interacting with journalists, so that Nigerians will know what we are doing; so that our efforts will not only be appreciated by the military high command, but also the citizens of the country, who want peace to come back to this part of the country”, Abubakar said.