The National Peace Project (NPP) has commended the nation’s service chiefs and security agencies over another peaceful Christmas celebrations.
In a statement signed by its President, Rev Joshua Agbaje, on Friday, the group said this year’s festivity was relatively safe and devoid of attacks.
According to Rev Agbaje, the military worked tirelessly and gallantly towards protecting the lives and properties of citizens under the leadership of the current service chiefs.
He further noted that the present tranquillity enjoyed across the country is evidence of President Muhammadu Buhari’s synergy with the Service Chiefs to deliver Nigeria.
The NPP, however, urged all Nigerians to join hands with the president to fight insecurity and discard all forms of primordial sentiments.
Read the full statement below:
The National Peace Project (NPP) President, Rev Joshua Agbaje, has commended the security chiefs, and security Agencies on the experience of tranquillity on another Yuletide.
NPP commends the Security chiefs and security agencies on their great inputs in the management of security issues, matters and problems that could impinge on the survival of democracy. NPP is very happy to have experienced such a peaceful yuletide. We are not afraid to be disheartened by breaking news of one terrorist attack or the other. We are overjoyed that the goal of the National Peace Project is gradually being accomplished thanks to the efforts of the Nigerian Military.
Travelling back in time, precisely over six years ago; we can recall how much the issue of insecurity had eroded most parts of Northern Nigeria under the watch of past administrations. If you somehow found yourself in those regions during that period, you would have experienced the carnage and anarchy propagated by insurgents and Bandits. There were bombings here and there, maiming of innocent individuals, and kidnappings were on the rise.
Back then, terrorists and bandits ran amok like no man’s business. They knew very well the weaknesses of the Nigerian military and other security agencies at that time, and they took full advantage of it. But these same evil men know quite well that, that time has long gone. They have recently faced tough opposition from the Nigerian security agencies who have been working tirelessly and gallantly towards protecting the lives and properties of Nigerian citizens under the leadership of the current service chiefs.
National Peace Project is not oblivious of the fact that this is a matter of national importance that has been of concern to all stakeholders in the Nigerian states and one that requires comprehensive and committed contribution of all groups and interests that make up Nigeria.
In addressing the challenge to the survival of democracy in Nigeria, it is pertinent to consider security issues and problems that have affected or capable of affecting the attitude, confidence and cooperation of all groups and segments that make up the Nigerian federation. It is also necessary to explore the gaps and grey areas in the national constitution that are responsible for various problems and crises and how these gaps can be addressed.
The result of consistent deliberations and meetings by President Muhammadu Buhari and Service Chiefs on the security situation of Nigeria is now evident for all to see.
We congratulate the President, Nigerians, and the service Chiefs for the successful mission in rescuing the Kankara boys. This has revealed that Nigeria is secure for all to live.
Certain critics of the current President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration have pointed out pockets of insecurity issues the country is currently facing. We know fully well that no country on this planet presently is without its security challenges. We’ve heard the same adage over and over again that Rome wasn’t built in a day, and thus, we still commend the current service chiefs in their steady efforts in ensuring that insecurity is completely defeated. It is believed we are gradually approaching that milestone as we can see how peaceful the Christmas celebration this year was.
Despite the very conspicuous bias, premeditated motives and partisan undertones expressed by many criminal elements in frustrating the citizens from enjoying the season, and to discredit the security agencies amidst the glaring recent successful records, We are a delight at the resolute of the security agencies in their determination to have resisted different insurgents attacks and premeditated ones in different regions of the country.
This Christmas celebration recorded no form of any successful attack, unlike the ones experienced in the previous administration, where it was seamlessly impossible to do so without the presence of security agents in their limited and restricted gatherings.
In the past administration, Boko Haram murdered Christian clergy and attacked churches. It primarily targeted representatives of state and federal governments, such as police officers, soldiers, politicians, and even traditional Muslim leaders during the Yuletide season.
The incident of December 25, 2011, still lingers in our heart, where the Islamist militant group Boko Haram once claimed responsibility for the bombing of St. Theresa Catholic Church in Madalla, on the outskirts of Abuja, which killed 37 people and wounded 57, in the deadliest of a series of attacks at Christmas.
The coordinated nature of these attacks suggested links between the home-grown Islamist movement and global jihadist groups operating across the Sahara.
It has become a trend for these terrorists to inflict their vile acts upon innocent people during festive celebrations as these. Both Christians and Muslims aren’t spared by these wicked men. But today, I can proudly tell you that peace has finally begun to reign in our dear country Nigeria for both Christians and Muslims alike, for both men and women alike, and both the poor and rich alike.
Unlike in the past, we did not hear of any detonation of bombs in places of worship or markets or places filled with people, or that a church or a mosque was raided by terrorists. Even the Local Governments are totally free from the control of terrorists. This has made us all aware that Nigeria is truly headed in the right direction in terms of the Peace and safety of her citizens.
NPP is convinced that the current service chiefs have achieved a lot since their assumption into office. They have done a lot in combating these insurgents and also restructuring the architecture of the military. This has ensured that the Nigerian Military regains its position as one of the best Military outfits in the world.
The military might not have been able to exceed the expectations of Nigerians and this is because most individuals have chosen to rain criticisms on them at any given opportunity rather than look for ways to join the fight. We also note that the actions of certain disgruntled elements that are sponsoring and aiding these insurgents have been rendered harmless and useless because they have failed innumerable times.
If the military is faced with all these including the task of correcting the mistakes of past administrations regarding insecurity and they have performed as much as this, then they must be commended for a job well done. NPP knows that Nigeria as a nation has suffered a lot in the past, and we cannot be deliberating now on who has overstayed his tenure or not, but we should all join hands, discard all forms of primordial sentiments and work with the President in fighting insecurity.
NPP, therefore, applauds the service Chiefs and others for their collective efforts and strategies put in place to help neutralize banditry and insurgents and to also ensure that things don’t get out of hands.
On behalf of the National Peace Project, I want to commend the efforts of The President, the service chiefs, and the Nigerian military. I call on the Nigerian Military to intensify its efforts in the fight against insecurity.
The peace we have so much enjoyed during this year’s Christmas celebration is a testament to the fact that the Nigerian Military is currently administered by one of the best leadership in the history of Nigeria. NPP once again calls on fellow Nigerians to support both President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration and the service chiefs in ensuring a peaceful Nigeria that is safe for all.
God Bless Nigeria.