A group, the Concerned Professionals Congress (CPC), said yesterday the recent military’s successful engagement of proscribed Nnamdi Kanu-led Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has again raised hopes and confidence that the Armed Forces have the will, ability and capacity to protect law-abiding citizens against harassment or molestation in any part of the country.
In a statement in Abuja by its Chief Media Strategist, Mr. Emeka Nwankpa and the Regional Rapporteur (North), Mallam Baba Al-Kasim, said the swift deployment of troops by the nation’s high military command effectively arrested last week’s IPOB-orchestrated mayhem in the Southeast and Southsouth.
The group contended that following IPOB’s proscription and the near-fragile peace across the nation, the statement had become necessary to in order re-assure law-abiding citizens in the country of the readiness and capacity of the Nigerian military to ensure the safety of lives and property of all Nigerians currently living in any part of the country.
Expressing satisfaction that the military’s Operation Python Dance II successfully started to checkmate crimes and criminality in the once-troubled region, CPC also praised the police for deploying its officers across the country to prevent possible reprisal attacks, following the violent activities of the now-proscribed militant group.
The statement hailed the Defence Headquarters (DHQ), saying its quick intervention and timely public notice on September 15 by its spokesman, Maj.-Gen. John Enenche, pulled the nation from the jaws of danger and disaster triggered by IPOB’s actions.
It added: “We salute the pro-active and tireless Chief of Defence Staff, General Abayomi Gabriel Olonisakin, whose synergy-driven leadership and robust collaboration with the service chiefs and other security agencies has galvanised the nation’s security architecture to combat emerging national security threats effectively. Their efforts are visible and laudable.
“But for the strategic move by the DHQ, the nation could have been on fire by now. So, we agree with Abia State Governor Okezie Ikpeazu, who said God averted the world’s greatest bloodbath in the Southeast last week. We cannot thank God enough.”
CPC statement also hailed Southeast governors for quickly rising above sentiments to proscribe IPOB.
The group noted that their quick move easily fed into the military’s proactive Operation Python Dance II, which it said was significant.
On the peace visits by Northern governors to the governors of Abia, Rivers, Imo other Southeast region, CPC said there is need for Nigerians of different races, regions, religions and political leanings to build faith, trust and equity in the country.
It said: “Again, the ghost of separatist ideology has been buried. IPOB posed a bigger danger to Nigeria’s survival than Boko Haram, whose capacity has been severely degraded by our gallant military in the Northeast. The Southeast must be spared the monster of terrorism.
“Blood-letting should stop in this country. The solidarity and peace visit to the region by the Northern governors is in order. The Southeast governors should reciprocate this noble gesture because of its symbolism that our leaders are working together and that our courageous military is always there to keep the peace.”
The group noted that the current thinking in informed circles is that President Muhammadu Buhari deserves praise for carefully selecting a crop of focused, highly committed and hardcore military men, whose sacrifice, focus, courage and commitment anchored on discipline, probity, fresh tactical and strategic approach, have added immense value to nation-building.
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