By Samuel Ogunsona
The Nigeria military has pledged to work with Yoruba activist , Sunday Adeyemo, popularly known as Sunday Igboho, to combat insecurity in South-West.
The military said it is a welcome development to the extent that communities will provide information and useful ideas for those legally empowered to deal with armed groups.
Sunday Igboho had said that he was deeply concerned about the need to checkmate armed men mostly of Fulani extraction who invade and destroy farmland across the Southwest.
The herdsmen have also been linked with a string of kidnapping and killings including the recent murder of three prominent traditional rulers in Yorubland.
The Spokesman of the Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. Edward Buba in a statement monitored by Irohinoodua said the military is prepared to work with locals in the genuine effort to rid the forests or bandits
Maj. Buba said collective effort is required to ensure the safety of people and properties.
He said everyone is welcome in the fight against terrorism.
“I have not seen the video where he made that statement, but one thing I must say is that people and communities are always welcomed.
If what he said is to make the situation better, he is welcomed, but if what he is saying is that we should disregard the armed forces of Nigeria, definitely, he is out of line because that is against Nigeria’s constitution.”
He said “For us, creating a safer environment for citizens translates to eliminating all threats hindering the safety and security of citizens.
Troops conducted synchronised strikes between the ground and air forces on terrorist enclaves, killing a significant number of them. It is possible to say with significant certainty that these strikes have had a significant impact on the terrorists adversely” He said.
Buba also shared the military’s achievements in February 2024.
He said, “In February 2024, the armed forces neutralized 974 terrorists, apprehended 621, and successfully rescued 466 kidnapped hostages”
He expressed the military’s unwavering commitment to ending terrorism and insecurity across the country through decisive actions and strategic operations.