…hails him over ongoing containment efforts against insecurity
…solicits additional deployment of troops in Benue
A high-powered delegation of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria, ALGON, Benue State Chapter, has paid a courtesy call on the Chief of Defence Staff,CDS, General Christopher Musa, at the Defence Headquarters,in Abuja.
The delegation, which was led by the Chairman of Guma Local Government Area and Chairman of Benue ALGON, Hon. Maurice Orwough, included Chairman of Agatu Local Government Area, Hon. Melvin James Ejeh, who doubles as Deputy ALGON Chairman, as well as their counterpart in Ukum Council, Jonathan Modi, who is the association’s secretary.
During the visit, the Benue councils’ chief executives commended the steady operational gains being recorded by troops across the various theatres of operation in the country, particularly in Benue State. They attributed the development to the commitment in leadership of General Musa.
In his remarks during the visit, the Benue ALGON chairman observed that the “food basket state” has been enjoying relative peace since the appointment of General Musa as the CDS in 2023 by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
He explained that the executive members of Benue State ALGON embarked on the courtesy visit to the CDS in appreciation of the relative peace and security that the people of Benue are presently enjoying.
“We are aware of your untiring efforts at containing the excesses of terrorists and other violent extremists in Benue State in particular, and Nigeria in general.
“You have, indeed, demonstrated unparalleled commitment to defending the country not only against external aggression, but also against insurrection and other forms of threats to national security and public safety”,he added.
Also speaking, the Deputy ALGON chair and facilitator of the visit,Hon. Melvin Ejeh, said investigations have revealed that troops’ morale has remained high since the defence chief assumed the leadership of the military high command.
He said:”The CDS, sir, I am pleased to note that troops’ exploits at the various theatres of operation in the country, are a fallout of your commitment to personnel welfare, continuous training and other morale-boosting initiatives, that are embedded in your Vision and Mission Statements.
“Also worthy of mention is your resolve to lead from the front, which is exemplified in the various operational visits to theatres, where you interact with both commanders, and troops on issues of interest.
“This development is rubbing-off positively on the good people of Agatu Local Government Area, where I have the privilege of superintending as executive chairman, as witnessed in the reduction of violent attacks on our communities.
“I must hasten to say that your decision to harmonise all joint task operations in the North West general area,to tackle cases of banditry, kidnapping and other acts of terrorism, is right and proper, hence deserves compensation.
“It is prayer that the harmonise operation code-namer Operation Pansan Yanma, will clear the remnants of terrorists in the North West and other contiguous areas.
“Let me conclude, sir, by noting that the reason the enemies of the state have continued to indicate their readiness to surrender, is due to troops’ sustained aggressive posture across theatres of operation.
Responding, the CDS thanked the ALGON chiefs for the visit, even as he promised that the momentum will remain high until victory is achieved.
