NigerianTroops

The Government of Ebonyi state, east of Nigeria, has donated 1,000 bags of rice to the Nigerian Army for onward delivery to troops fighting Boko Haram insurgency in the North East.

The deputy governor of the state, Mr Kelechi Igwe, made the presentation on Thursday at the parade ground of Mogadishu Cantonment, Abuja.

He said the donation was the state government’s modest support to the counter-insurgency operation and in solidarity with frontline troops in parts of the North East.

Igwe said the gesture was premised on the state government’s conviction that the responsibility of defeating insurgency was not meant for the military alone.

According to Igwe, the task of defeating insurgency is one that requires the support of all Nigerians wherever they reside.

“It is our belief that if all the 36 states of the Federation galvanise efforts towards this cause, insurgency, wherever it is found, will be defeated.

“This donation is also prompted by the fact that the burden of defeating terrorism had for long been borne by the affected states and the Federal Government alone.

“We are aware of the efforts of the Federal Government in this regard and the sacrifices of our soldiers in the field.

“We are confident that this donation will improve the well-being of our troops as they engage the insurgents in the North East,’’ he said.

Igwe assured the military of the state government’s continued support to the Armed Forces’ operations both in the North East and elsewhere in the country.

He decried the effect of the insurgency on Nigerians and the economy, stressing that the state had also been affected through its indigenes serving in the Army.

On his part, the Chief of Logistics at the Army Headquarters, Maj. Gen. Ademoh Salihu, who represented the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.- Gen. Tukur Buratai, thanked the Ebonyi Government for the gesture.

He said the Nigeria Army was touched by the demonstration of solidarity and support by the state government.

“I am glad to note that the government and people of Ebonyi appreciate the importance of security to national development and the sacrifice of troops in keeping Nigeria’s unity.

“We are grateful and we appreciate the renewed relationship between the army and the state government,’’ he said.

Some principal staff officers at the army headquarters attended the presentation ceremony.

The governor, had on an earlier visit to the army headquarters, pledged support to troops in the North East.