Former leader of the Senate, Ali Ndume, has commended the Nigerian Army for its prompt response in restoring normalcy in Kirawa, Borno State.
Residents of the border town in the North-East state have recently fled into neighbouring Cameroon after Boko Haram militants seized the community.
The palace of the district head was equally burnt along with a military barracks, and several homes were set ablaze.
The insurgents were, however, pushed back after the military deployed reinforcements, while residents are returning home following deployments of military personnel.
The lawmaker representing Borno South in a statement on Wednesday commended the Chief of Army Staff, Lt- General Olufemi Oluyede, and the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, for their prompt response, particularly the deployment of 153 Task Force Battalion to the community.
Senator Ndume, who noted that the quick intervention of the military lessened the havoc that could have been wreaked on the community by the terror gang, further pleaded with the military authorities to make the presence of the military personnel permanent in the community, which he noted is a border town.
He also called for sustained collaboration between the Nigerian military and its Cameroonian counterpart in policing border towns.
He said:’ The courage displayed by our military and their resilience remains laudable. I have always acknowledged the fact that our military is overstretched, and I am impressed with their successes in the face of obvious challenges.’
The former Leader of the Senate further urged residents of the Kirawa town to be vigilant and always willing to cooperate with the military on the ground to guarantee the security of the community.
‘I sympathise with the people of Kirawa who are at the receiving end of the insurgents. My appeal to them is to always remain vigilant and be willing to share useful information with the military to secure their community. ‘
The lawmaker who applauded the Borno state governor, Professor Babagana Zulum, for his efforts in resettling the people and encouraging them to be resilient, further commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for showing more than passing interest in restoring peace to the North-east states in the country.
‘Security of lives and property is the first and paramount responsibility of any government. The presentation administration has not failed in fulfilling this constitutional mandate to Nigerians.’