The Chief of Defence Staff, Air Marshal Oluseyin Petirin, on Wednesday commended the citizens
of Borno State for their support to security agencies in the ongoing efforts to end the activities of the Boko Haram terrorists.
Petirin gave the commendation in Maiduguri when he paid a courtesy visit on Gov. Kashim Shettima at the Government House.
“We thank the people of Borno for teaming up with the Joint Task Force (JTF) on Operation Restore Order to fight the Boko Haram terrorist group.
“I am happy to say that finally, the people are coming up to give good information on hide outs of those trying to disrupt peace in the society,'' he said.
Petirin pointed out that the development had greatly assisted the JTF in tackling the terrorist group.
He also commended the state government for its numerous support to the JTF and other security agencies.
“I want to express our gratitude to the state government for its moral and? logistic support to the JTF, the support has indeed enabled us to achieve lots of progress in our quest to restore peace in the state'', he said.
He refuted allegations of excesses by members of the JTF in their operations, saying it was untrue.
“Few months ago, I specifically dispatched a team headed by a senior military officer to the state to investigate the allegation of excesses by the JTF.
“The team came and interacted with several people but nobody came with a claim of excesses against any officer while they were here,'' Petirin said.
Responding, Shettima thanked the defence chief for the visit and assured him of government's continued support to the security agencies.
“By the grace of God we are seeing light at the end of the tunnel, as peace will return to Borno in the nearest future.
“I do not believe that killing innocent souls will help to advance the course of any religion,'' he added.
Shettima said that Nigeria had been a multi lingual and multi religious country that cannot be easily divided.?
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the defence chief was accompanied on the visit by the Inspector-General of Police, Alhaji Mohammed Abubakar.
He also inaugurated a bore hole provided by the JTF in Budum ward of Maiduguri before leaving the state. ?
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