By SADIQ ABUBAKAR, Maiduguri –
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Major General Farouq Yahaya has appealed to His Eminence, the Shehu of Borno, Alhaji Abubakar Umar Garbai, El Kanemi to continue to support, pray and guide the Nigerian military in its counter insurgency operations and provision of security in the state.
The COAS who stated this when he paid homage to the Royal father at his Palace, said that the Nigerian Army has been making concerted efforts to ensure the safety of lives and property of the citizenry and peace to return to the state, North-East region and other parts of the country.
General Farouq also noted that the traditional rulers’ prayers, guidance and support have been very fruitful and encouraging, which has informed his visit and hope to continue to visit the royal father all the times in future to seek the royal father’s blessings.
In his remarks, and the Shehu of Borno, congratulated the new COAS for his well deserved appointment, while appreciating his visit which he described as a clear testimony of the respect COAS has for the traditional rulers.
He wished him Allah’s guidance and protection in his new responsibility as COAS while noting that his hard work and commitment as former GOC and Theater Commander among others fetched his well deserved appointment by the president.
He, however appealed to COAS to allow the rural and urban farmers and fishermen to return to their farmlands and fishing areas, especially, those in Baga, kinewa, Damasak, kukawa, konduga, Bana, and Banki, and kala Balge by ensuring the places are safe for farming and fishing .
Alhaji Garbai also urged General Farouq to do something about the security situation along Maiduguri-Damaturu Road, and Maiduguri -Damboa-Biu and as well as Maiduguri – Gubio-Damasak roads where attacks and threats by insurgents have taken a new dimension to motorists and passengers.
The royal father also urged the COAS to station a military base or formation at Mile 4and Baga town in addition to open Maiduguri – Damboa Road,, and Damboa-Biu Road, Danasak-Gudunbali-kukawa ,and Damboa-Ngala-Gwoza roads which are still unsafe to motorists to be accessible, while calling on people to also support and cooperate with the security agencies by giving out useful information to the nearest security agents.
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