Buhari’s morale booster to our troops

Last week’s commendation on the efforts being made by the joint troops fighting insurgency, terrorism and the Boko Haram elements in the northeastern part of the country by President Muhmmadu Buhari has served as a great morale booster to the troops. This is because of the simple fact that President Buhari’s comments on the efforts […]

Last week’s commendation on the efforts being made by the joint troops fighting insurgency, terrorism and the Boko Haram elements in the northeastern part of the country by President Muhmmadu Buhari has served as a great morale booster to the troops.

This is because of the simple fact that President Buhari’s comments on the efforts of the soldiers came at the time when the morale of the troops seemed to have received a bash from the comments made in the social media not too long ago.

The social media released some negative information concerning the efforts of the soldiers, which, no doubt, might have affected the morale of the troops in Borno State.

It would be recalled that the social media published some fake news to the effect that many soldiers were killed during an attack on them at Melete in Borno State, which is contrary to the information later released by the Army, that only 23 soldiers were actually killed and 33 others wounded during the attacks.

The truth must be told that such fake news from the social media often dampens the morale of the soldiers at the war-front, but which is appreciated by the insurgents as their campaign weapon which the criminally minded people usually adopt whenever they discover that they are actually losing whatever battle they are fighting. Most criminals are fond of dishing out such false information in order to mislead the public and their opponents.

If one should take a look at the whole issue critically, it would be observed that there is an element of bias or sabotage in the way some social media users often release such fake news to the public, especially now that the country has entered into another election injury period when good information is necessary for the unity of the country.

This is also the reason why many right-thinking people often vehemently disagree with the Amnesty International people, who, more often than not, have been accused by government of giving out incorrect or unbalanced assessment of the efforts of the Nigerian Army in its fight against terrorism and insurgency, as well as the Boko Haram in the North- East of Nigeria.

Also, as correctly pointed out by President Buhari, everything possible must be done to bring to an end, the Boko Haram war in the area. It is also because of the seriousness of the situation in that area that the current Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt, Gen T.Y. Buratai and his immediate lieutenants have long ago relocated to that area, with a view to dealing with the issue on ground, as he has been diligently doing since 2015. The COAS and his people have also been deeply engaged in finding a lasting solution to this issue, which calls for persistent prayers from all of us.

Ibrahim Biu sent this from Abuja.