The Deputy Spokesman of the House of Representatives, Mr. Philip Agbese has appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to confer the prestigious Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger (GCON) national honour on Nigeria’s top military leadership.
He said such recognition would boost morale and reinforce public confidence in the Armed Forces.
Mr. Agbese, who represents Ado/Okpokwu/Ogbadibo Federal Constituency of Benue State and also the Leader of the Labour Party in the state, made the appeal at the State of Affairs gathering with security experts, professionals and promoters in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital.
This followed the recent successful rescue of schoolchildren and teachers abducted in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, as well as the foiling of an attempted mass abduction of students in Monguno, Borno State.
According to the lawmaker, “the achievements of the armed forces under the current military leadership deserves national recognition, particularly at a time when the country continues to battle insurgency, banditry and other security threats.”
“The successful resolution of the Orire abduction after 56 days in captivity and the decisive intervention in Monguno demonstrates the growing effectiveness of our security apparatus under your leadership,” Agbese said.
He said; “Our Chief of Defence Staff, Chief of Army Staff, and other principal military officers deserve the prestigious GCON honours for restoring hope to families and protecting the future of our children. These achievements merit national recognition.”
In the early hours of Sunday, suspected fighters of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) reportedly attempted to attack the Nigerian Government Girls College in Monguno, which was being used as temporary accommodation for students of a polytechnic institution.
Troops of Operation HADIN KAI, in collaboration with personnel of the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies, repelled an attempted terrorist attack on a school in Monguno, Borno State, preventing the abduction of 46 students.
The students were safely evacuated to Kinnasara Barracks. However, some persons were reportedly hit by stray bullets during the exchange of fire. Security agencies have launched a manhunt for the fleeing terrorists while investigations into alleged local collaborators are ongoing.
Commending the troops, Mr Agbese said the operation reflected the military’s improved operational readiness and swift response capability.
He also praised security agencies for securing the release of pupils and teachers abducted from three schools in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State on May 15. The victims regained their freedom after spending 56 days in captivity following what security officials described as an intelligence-led operation.
Mr Agbese said “the successful operations underscored the importance of sustained collaboration among security agencies in tackling insecurity across the country.”
The lawmaker called on the Nigerian Government to sustain investments in military equipment, intelligence gathering and the welfare of security personnel to consolidate recent gains against insecurity.
