The National Inter-Faith and Religious Organization for Peace (NIFROP) has saluted the Chief of Army Staff Lt. Gen Tukur Yusuf Buratai and his men for sense of patriotism and dedication in their fight against insurgency in the country.



The religious group admitted that members of the dreaded Boko Haram sect had intensified their attacks on the country in the last few weeks of last year, but the Nigerian Army, as usual, rose to the task and sent them packing.



Bishop Sunday Garuba, President of NIFROP at a press conference on Sunday, called on other religious leaders in the country to back the Nigerian troops with prayers as they sweat it out to restore peace to the nation.



The cleric observed that the damage the Nigerian troops inflicted on the terrorists in the past year might have been underreported but patriotic citizens that are interested in the truth are still able to read between the lines to appreciate what has been done on their behalf.



According to him, “It is reassuring that the military has proven that the sacrifices of these ones were not in vain as they had shown the terrorists that the army of a sovereign nation is not to be toyed with by terrorists even when they have foreign support.



“The Nigerian Army has been able to rise above the blockade against its ability to procure weapons to dedicatedly deploy its inventory to tackle the menace of Boko Haram irrespective of how the group has rebranded to incorporate other killers from the Middle East and North Africa in their folds.



“The Nigerian Army has triumphed against the evil support that the terrorists enjoy from organizations that masquerade as good when the essence of their work reeks of evil. The merchants of lies that offer the terrorists help by way of making their crimes appear lesser have failed to prevail against the Nigerian state and it is all thanks to the professionalism of the Nigerian Army, which has remained dedicated in spite of the scheming against it by these foreign merchants of grief.



Speaking on the efforts of the COAS, Garuba said, “It is on this note that we salute the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt. General Tukur Buratai. We commend the efforts of the Nigerian troops fighting Boko Haram under the COAS’ direction. The superlative delivery of valour could not have been possible without the commitment of the commander, his officers and troops.



“The message of the National Inter-Faith and Religious Organization for Peace (NIFROP) for the year 2019 is a charge to General Buratai and the troops to sustain their offensive against fleeing elements of Boko Haram. These killers had thought they could use the Yuletide to inflict pains on Nigerians but their plot was defeated by the Nigerian Army. We anticipate similar and more intensive defeat of whatever evil the terrorists plan in the year 2019.”



The group urges General Buratai and indeed the Nigerian Army not to be daunted by the seeming difficulties that stand in the way of fighting the terrorists to a conclusive end, saying “we are also not unaware of the apparent lack of appreciation from certain quarters and individuals that should know better. It is akin to the scenario of a prophet not being honoured in his homeland but those that know what is good are already appreciative of the great job the military is doing and we believe that this great work should continue.”



“We appeal to Nigerians to increase whatever support they had been given the army in the past. Those that do not previously support should count it as part of their New Year commitment to turn a new leaf and contribute their own quota to an organization that is making them safe.”