Obama Restates Support for Nigeria on War Against Terrorism

                       

                                                            President Barack Obama

•     We are winning fight against Boko Haram, says former CDS

•     Six killed, 39 buildings destroyed in Adamawa

From Nduka Nwosu in New York, Senator Iroegbu   and Daji Sani 

President Barack Obama of the United States Friday restated the resolve of his government to support Nigeria in the ongoing effort to end terrorism. This is coming on the heels of the declaration by the immediate past Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Admiral Ola Sa'ad Ibrahim (rtd), that the Nigerian military and security agencies have recorded tremendous progress in the ongoing onslaught against the Boko Haram insurgents.

However, Ibrahim’s declaration came on a day that saw six persons killed and 39 houses destroyed by yet to identified gunmen in Masu  Village, Toungo Local Government Area of  Adamawa State.

Obama spoke at the 62nd National Prayer Breakfast meeting of the Christian Association of Nigerian-Americans (CANAAN) held at the Washington Hilton.

Obama said in the well-televised prayer meeting: “I have pledged our support to the people of Nigeria, who deserve to worship in their churches and mosques in peace, free from terror.”

In its response, CANAAN said it welcomed Obama’s pledge to continue his support for Nigeria in its war against terrorism.

According to a statement signed by CANAAN’s Secretary Laolu Akande: “CANAN welcomes the continued focus of the US government and the support of President Obama in this matter.

“It is our hope and expectation that with the active support of the US government, including through the implementation of the Foreign Terrorism Organisation (FTO) designation of the terror groups, Nigerian Christians and others would heave a huge sigh of relief from the brutal and ruthless violence that is being perpetrated by extreme Jihadists fundamentalists and terrorists.”

CANAAN, which called for greater and increasing support from the US government especially in the area of going after terrorist leaders within the context of the FTO, also urged the US to increase its support for the ongoing operations of the Nigerian military to end the carnage in North-eastern Nigeria.

Meanwhile, the immediate past CDS, who spoke during his valedictory speech at his pulling out ceremony in Mogadishu Military Cantonement, Abuja, said that his experience during the one-and-a-half years he led the entire Nigerian Armed Forces was a memorable one, and recalled that he was appointed CDS when the rebellion against the authority and sovereignty of Nigeria by Boko Haram insurgents was very fierce.

He said: "No sooner had we settled down that we were confronted with the stark reality of exacerbating rebellion against the Nigerian state, in addition to increased armed robbery, kidnapping, oil theft and ethno-religious conflicts in parts of the country.

"The authority and sovereignty of the Nigerian state was threatened by activities of terrorists which necessitated the declaration of a state of emergency in the three most affected states in the North-eastern part of the country.

"So far, we have made substantial progress in the fight against terror. Incidences of oil theft, kidnapping, armed robbery and other violent crimes in the Southern parts of the country have reduced drastically, just as Plateau is enjoying relative peace.”

Despite the former CDS’ optimistic posture on the war against terrorism, six persons were yesterday killed and 39 houses destroyed by yet to identified gunmen in Masu  village, Toungo Local Government Area of Adamawa State.

An eyewitness confirmed the attack and told THISDAY in a telephone conversation that the attackers were suspected mercenaries hired by Fulani herdsmen who had a problem with the villagers who are mostly farmers.

According to him, an argument ensued between the herdsmen and the local farmers in the area about three months ago when the herdsmen entered a local farm and the villagers called an army patrol team that arrested them and subjected them to serious torture.

Another eyewitness, however, said two of the suspected attackers were allegedly killed by security agents in their bid to escape, while four villagers were killed by the herdsmen, bringing the death toll to six.