By Ankeli Emmanuel (In Sokoto State)
No fewer than 56,000 bandits have so far surrendered to the Nigerian Army since Operation Hadarin Daji began in the North Western states of Sokoto, Kebbi, Zamfara and Katsina, Major General Uwem Bassey, has disclosed.
General Bassey who is the General Officer Commanding, 8 Division, Nigerian Army, Sokoto and also the Commander, Operation Hadarin Daji, made the disclosure on Sunday, during the Armed Forces Remembrance Day inter-denominational Church Service held at St Bathlomew, Goginya barracks, Sokoto.
8 Division comprises states of Sokoto, Kebbi, Zamfara and Katsina.
The GOC who assured that the issue of banditry and other crimes in those states will soon become a thing of the past, recalled that if the Nigerian Army can do it in the North East, then, he is sure they are going to achieve same in the North West.
General Bassey while admitting that Nigeria is a great country and still standing strong, affirmed that the Army still remained the lifeline of the country, performing wonderous responsibilities to end the enemies of the country that are bent on causing disunity.
Talking about how united the Army is, the GOC noted that it's a reason to thank God. "The Army does not consider your religion to post you. Imagine if 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 these states, Major General 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", Major General Usem Bassey enthused. . Speaking in his homily, the 8 Div Chaplain, Lieutenant Elimi Clement, appealed to soldiers to remain united like they were to help defend the country.
"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 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 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 formidable 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', the Army Chaplain, lieutenant Clement, admonished Nigerians to rise up with righteousness.
"A country where bloodshed and bloodbath moves freely is wickedness. A country where riffles are sold to bandits, people pay money to get better special duties, posting, where people practice covetiousness and all that, is wickedness. A country where people indulge in sabotage to promote religious intolerance is wickedness".
The 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. NNL.
