The Oluwo of Iwoland in Osun State, Oba Abdulrasheed Adewale Akanbi has called on Nigerians to cooperate with the new Chief of Army Staff, Major General Farouk Yahaya, in the fight against insurgency and other forms of insecurity.
The monarch said the new Army Chief, whom he described as an experienced commander, required the support and cooperation of all Nigerians to succeed in the task of securing the country.
Oluwo, in a statement on Monday, said: “We have a responsibility as citizens to offer our support and give maximum cooperation to the Army Chief. This is what is required of us. The Army is no doubt doing their best to protect the country against all forms of terrorism.
“Our troops in the battlefield are giving their all in defending the country and we need to continue to boost their morale as Nigerians through our support and prayers. We should cooperate with the leadership by giving timely and useful information that would expose the antics of the enemies of the nation.
“Let’s be mindful of the reality that Nigeria is in a precarious state as far as insecurity is concerned. But we should also not forget that terrorism has become a global phenomenon. Many countries are struggling to overcome this and others have equally surmounted the challenge through the cooperation of their citizens. This is what is expected of us as patriots and genuine citizens of Nigeria.”
Oluwo also called on the Federal Government to continue to provide the army the requisite funding and operational tools to enhance the performance of troops in the battlefield.
“I commend the appointment of the new Chief of Army Staff, Major Farouk Yahaya. He has the required experience in the battlefield. As the Theatre Commander of Operation Lafiya Dole, he understands the challenges facing the troops in the battlefield and what they need to defeat the insurgents who are enemies of the state.
“We therefore have the obligation to give him our support in all ramifications to galvanize the officers and men especially those in the battlefield to win the war.
“As citizens, we have to pray fervently for our troops and I believe very soon the current insurgency, banditry and insurrections we are witnessing across the country would be addressed.”
