Presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), General Muhammadu Buhari (rtd.) has commended the heroic exploits of the officers and men and women of the Armed Forces in their fight against the Boko Haram terrorists.

Buhari, in a press statement yesterday, said the Boko Haram insurgents had for several years made life hellish for many Nigerians, while creating the greatest security nightmare ever known by the country since the end of the Civil War.

The statement, signed by Mallam Garba Shehu, Director of Media and Publicity of APC Presidential Campaign Organization (APCPCO), quoted Buhari as expressing delight with the speed and efficiency with which several towns and villages in the North-East region of the country, namely Baga, Konduga, Dikwa and others, hitherto overrun by the terrorists and under their control, had been liberated by the Nigerian troops.

According to the statement, “ it is refreshing to realise as patriotic Nigerians that, indeed, we have a military that can hold its own in combat and by so doing be an inspiration and complement the efforts of friendly forces fighting alongside them.

“While we have noted the full display of professionalism and courage in combat exhibited by the gallant officers and soldiers of the Nigerian Armed Forces, we also pay tribute to their allies from Cameroun, Chad and Niger who are fighting alongside them. Terrorism being the scourge of today’s world requires the collective effort and resolve of the international community and relevant regional forces to deal with.”

The APC standard bearer further stressed that, “As we celebrate the triumph of our forces and look forward to the eventual weakening and possible annihilation of the terrorists from our territory and the sub-region, we urge the Armed Forces to do more and ensure that territories already re-captured do not fall again to the terrorists and that reasonable security is provided to encourage the displaced population to return to their homelands.

“The APC Campaign again is very proud of the Armed Forces and its presidential candidate, General Muhammadu Buhari, is particularly pleased that the Army, which he once commanded to fame and glory, is re-enacting the combat exploits for which it was known the world over.”

The statement further said, “We want to use this opportunity to remind the entire rank and file of the Armed Forces that under an APC government to be headed by General Buhari, the Armed Forces, as an institution, would be encouraged and given all it requires to continue to excel and fulfil its constitutional role of providing reliable and sound security for the nation.

“An APC government would ensure adequate provision of military hardware, logistics, welfare, training, both local and overseas, as well as decisive leadership that will ensure that never again will our country find itself in the type of security dilemma we have been subjected to in the last couple of years.”