The Democratic Front (TDF) has described the recent revelation by military authorities of the surrender of 129,417 terrorists in the last six months as evidence of a renewed push by the federal government to tackle security challenges plaguing the country.
In a statement signed by its Chairman, Mallam Danjuma Muhammad and Secretary, Chief Wale Adedayo, TDF noted that the revelation by Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Chris Musa, at a security conference in Dubai, was heartwarming.
“This development clearly underscores the positive impact of the non-kinetic approach that President Bola Tinubu has introduced into the war against terrorism in the first 18 months of his administration.
“It is equally important to appreciate additional revelations from the Dubai conference, that the President’s comprehensive approach to the nation’s security challenges has also resulted in the successful prosecution of 505 terrorists in court under the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2022.
“We are on record to have consistently emphasized on the significance of exploring several non kinetic avenues by the Tinubu administration, through bodies and initiatives including the National Almajiri Commission, Pulaku Initiative, Regional Development Commissions as well as the ministry of Livestock Development. All these will go a long way in ensuring the socio-economic development of ungoverned spaces, which have been the breeding ground for insurgency and banditry in Northern Nigeria.
“We are happy to observe that the successes recorded by the Armed Forces against terrorists in the North-West Nigeria have de-escalated insecurity in the zone. This has, in turn, boosted the confidence of international investors to commit to investing in the huge agricultural and mining potentials in the country.
“Furthermore, President Tinubu’s deliberate prioritization of allocation of funds to the Ministry of Defence for the procurement of military hardwares, coupled with his show of concern for the welfare of members of the armed forces and other security personnel has been justified by this landmark achievement.
“Only recently, the President approved a significant increase in the salary of military personnel, including payment of three months arrears. He additionally released funds to clear outstanding pensions and entitlements owed retired military personnel in a bid to boost the morale of members of the Armed Forces.
“Without doubt, we can posit that President Bola Tinubu’s special attention on the military has opened a new vista for the recalibration of military tactics, techniques, and other regimental procedures, to allow for the complementary use of non-kinetic methods in eliminating insecurity in the country.
“We urge the President to continue to motivate the armed forces and other security agencies in the country through his pro-people policies. This is because the deployment of non-kinetic initiatives have triggered mass surrender of terrorists and led to the steady deradicalization of hardliners,”it added.
TDF is convinced that with the introduction of non-kinetic responses to the security FGV challenges alongside the kinetic approach, the government will achieve a lot in its quest to reduce insecurity in the country.