By Jude Owuamanam
Managing Editor, Northern Operations
JOS (Sundiata Post) – The Minister of Defence, Mansur Dan-Ali , on Thursday said that so far more than 12,000 persons held hostage by Boko Haram insurgents have been freed by the military
The minister spoke in Jos in a keynote address presented at a two-day retreat organised by the ministry at the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies, Kuru
He said that the figure included some Chibok girls that had regained their freedom.
Dan Ali said, “More than 12,000 Boko Haram captives have been freed; the figure includes the 106 Chibok girls that were abducted in 2014.”
The retreat has as its theme ‘Enhancing civil-military relations, a panacea for promoting security and national development’.
Dan Ali said that all hands must be on the deck as more needed to be done to consolidate on the efforts to sustain the peace and security currently enjoyed in the country
He added, “For more to be achieved, the military components of the ministry and the civilians must work hard, understand each other and have mutual respect and trust.”
Dan-Ali said that the combined efforts of members of the armed forces had successfully degraded the Boko Haram insurgents, making it difficult for members to regroup and carry out organised attacks.
Plateau State Governor Simon Lalong, also speaking at the event, described the retreat, aimed at enhancing civil-military relationship, as “apt and of great significance”.
Lalong said that Plateau had had its share of security challenges and had seen seen how collaborations between the military and civilians had ensured quick resolution of internal conflicts.
The governor called for bridging the gaps of understanding between the military and civilians, saying that such unity was key to effective discharge of constitutional duties.
The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr Yakubu Dogora, in his remarks, declared that power was not in the barrel of the gun but in the content of the heart.
“Holding guns and ranks should not give anyone a sense of superiority over members of the society; it should be a humbling factor and be managed with a great sense of responsibility,” he said.
Dogara, however, urged civilians to respect constituted authorities and embrace regular dialogue on matters of national importance.
