The General Officer Commanding, 8 Division, Nigerian Army, Sokoto and also the Commander, Operation Hadarin Daji, Major -General Uwem Bassey, has disclosed that about 56,000 bandits have surrendered to the Nigerian Army since Operation Hadarin Daji began in the North Eastern states of Nigeria, saying that the development indicates that the military is winning the war against Nigeria’s enemies.
Maj -Gen Bassey stated this on Sunday during the Armed Forces Remembrance Day interdenominational Church service at St Bathlomew, Goginya Barracks, Sokoto.
The 8 Division comprises Sokoto, Kebbi, Zamfara and Katsina states.
The GOC, who assured that the issue of banditry and other crimes in the four states will soon become a thing of the past, stated that if the Nigerian Army can do it in the North-East, then, he is sure the military will achieve same success in the North-West.
Admitting that Nigeria is a great country and still standing strong, Bassey said that the Army still remains the lifeline of the country while performing patriotic duties to stop enemies of the country who are bent on causing disunity.
Talking about how united the Army is, the GOC said there is a reason to thank God.
He said, “The Army does not consider your religion to post you. Imagine it pleases the Chief Of Army Staff (COAS) to post me to be in charge of Sokoto, Kebbi, Zamfara and Katsina States.
“As the GOC, myself alongside the Garrison Commander, Brig General Ralph Nnebeife often go into the forest with our men at times for weeks to fight these bandits because in the Army, we must follow the mission, dream and vision of our bosses.
“No Army can bear hardship without discipline. It is the discipline that makes you to know how important it is to promote the national unity without expecting gratification.
“Your reward will come as every good reward always come last and from God. Only one day, God will turn things around for you, do not think that the days are too far, as a thousand year is like a day to God.
“The biggest achievement the Nigerian Army will continue to enjoy is that of a united country
“Any country that does not have a unified Army is gone. I am proud to say that there is no division in the Nigerian Army”.
On the challenges of insecurity being experienced in parts of the four states, Bassey said, “Most of the communities being affected by banditry now are in remote places that are not so easy to assess, just like a good number of the kidnapping activities are being arranged by relatives of the victims because of earthly reward.
“The Nigeria Army under the leadership of the COAS is leaving no stone unturned to ensure that these enemies of the country that we are seeing today, we shall see them no more. These difficulties will not last forever”.
Speaking in his homily, the 8 Div Chaplain, Leutenant Elimi Clement, appealed to soldiers to remain united like they are to help defend the country.
He said, “We must be united to defend this country, hence the bullet in the warfront doesn’t know your religion or region.
“Our deployment is not based on religion, region or creed but as people that have undergone same training and meant to serve the country.
“No better time that Nigeria needs us more than now. The Nigerian Army is the last hope of Nigeria as division has eaten deep into the minds of many. We therefore owe it a duty to defend the country and we can only do that by staying united to face these enemies and win. We must form a fromidable force to be able to fight and defeat these enemies of the country”.
Preaching on the topic, “Promoting National Unity Through Religious Tolerance and Peaceful Coexistence, and a sub theme, Unity in Diversity’, Chaplain Clement urged Nigerians to rise up with righteousness.
He said, “A country where bloodshed and blood bath moves freely is wickedness. A country where riffles are sold to bandits, people pay money to get better special duties, posting, where people practice convetiousness and all that is wickedness. A country where people indulge in sabotage to promote religious intolerance is wickedness”.
The military clergy further appealed to Nigerians to love one another as enshrined in the various religions, adding that when there is genuine love, most of the crimes against humanity today will be reduced to bearest minimum.
