NATIONAL: APC hails military, Buhari on war against insurgency

THE All Progressives Congress has urged Nigerians to stop playing politics with the issue of security noting that it will take collective and concert efforts to end the problems bedevilling the country.

The ruling party said this as the nation marked the 2021 edition of the Armed Remembrance Day.

The APC made its appeal to Nigerians in a statement titled, “#AFRD2021: APC Hails Military Successes, Remembers Fallen Heroes,” signed by the National Secretary of the party, Senator Akpanudoedehe.

The statement commended officers and men of the military for laying down their lives in the defence of Nigeria’s territorial integrity.

“We congratulate President Muhammadu Buhari on many visible and verifiable achievements of the military in the ongoing fight against insurgency and violent crimes in Nigeria as contained in the compendium: “Security Checklist: As Nigeria marks Armed Forces Remembrance Day’’, said the statement released Thursday.

“From the country’s 30-month civil war which ended on January 15, 1970 to the fight against terrorism, banditry and other emerging violent crimes, many servicemen have paid the supreme price for our safety, peace and unity.

“We pray for the protection of the living and remember the departed heroes and their families left behind.

“From international peace keeping missions to addressing security incidents within the country and overall discharge of its constitutional responsibilities, the military has undoubtedly made the country proud.

“Several innovations and inventions by the Armed Forces have resulted in the production of military hardware, infrastructural development, restructuring and reorganisation of its operations.”

The party credited the Buhari administration for investing in military hardware, intelligence and tactical training for servicemen.

The statement added, “We must collectively shun the practice of politicising issues of security and the efforts of our security services particularly the Armed Forces to keep the country safe. We should rather support their efforts to further degrade the capacity of terrorists and other criminal elements.

“We invite all Nigerians to rededicate themselves to the patriotic call contained in our national anthem which reads in part: “The labours of our heroes past, shall never be in vain.”