I sat in anxiety as the yuletide season approached us. Thoughts ran riots in my head. I played out many scenarios as regards the likelihood of a disruption of the festive season by men of the underworld, as in times past.
I refreshed my memory to the bomb blasts that rocked previous years on Christmas day and in churches and recreational centres in the FCT and its environs. I could only but nod my head in absolute disbelieve.
Disbelieve? You might want to ask. Yes, I meant every bit of the word disbelieve because of how time flies and indeed how when there is a will, there would always be a way. I counted three with my fingers (2016, 2017 and 2018) and not a single disruption of the yuletide season in Abuja. Not a single bomb detonated anywhere. There was no uproar amongst merry seekers in recreational spots all around the FCT and its environs. People went about their normal businesses without fear. This is unprecedented.
I have longed told all that cared to listen that God indeed loves Nigeria. The outcome of the 2015 elections that produced the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari was indeed a divine intervention in my opinion.
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I believe the discerning minds would agree. It is also not by accident that we have had three consecutive years of peace and tranquillity in the festive season in Abuja. And it is also not luck. Some people somewhere have paid the price, and this brings me to the very essence of this piece.
In some quarters, some have always questioned the constitutional role of the Nigeria Army in the sustenance of peace in any given society. They have also erroneously believed that the role of the army in Nigeria should and always be confined to the barracks.
They haven’t given a thought that the enthronement of internal security and peace falls within the purview of the Nigeria Army. And this much they have strived to achieve from time immemorial. But the last three years have seen a more proactive and robust Nigeria Army in the enthronement of internal security and peace in Nigeria, and Abuja is just a case study.
If anyone told me some four years ago that there would be such a time where the security architecture in Abuja would be top-notch that people would go about their various business without fear, I would doubt it because of the reign of terror that has accompanied festive periods in the FCT.
This fact is corroborated with the way and manner many people relocated from Abuja due to the high level of insecurity. I recall I stumbled on a piece written by a former Abuja resident who had to relocate in the wake on the high level of uncertainty but recently returned to Abuja.
As mentioned earlier, these things didn’t happen by chance, somewhere and somehow the price was paid just like Jesus Christ paid the price for us sinners on the cross of Calvary.
If no one gave credit to President Muhammadu Buhari, I would give him high credit. If no one would also appreciate the efforts of the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai, I and my household would appreciate him. Some might be wondering why I am particular about President Muhammadu Buhari and Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai.
Some might also be wondering what it was a spectacular thing that they have done to deserve such high praises. But I would say that, and just like I have always said that the solution to the myriads of challenges facing Nigeria is when our political leaders exhibit that political will. And once that is done, there would always be a way.
And one of such ways that President Muhammadu Buhari has exhibited a political will is in the appointment of the service chiefs, especially that of the Nigeria Army, which has never been so engaged in the enthronement of internal security in the annals of the country as in the past three years.
In the past three years, the Nigeria Army has stretched beyond the elastic limit with various operations around the country simultaneously. But yet it didn’t flop. From the ongoing war against Boko Haram terrorist in North East Nigeria to the militant Independent People of Biafra (IPOB) in South East, and others too numerous to mention. The Nigeria Army has stayed true to its constitutional responsibility.
They have sacrificed their all to keep the country safe and secured. They have decimated the Boko Haram, even at great sacrifice with the number of casualties recorded.
While this is unfortunate, it just goes with the terrain in warfare situations. They have also kept other violent groups in check. They have done quite a lot to keep the country safe and secured. And like I mentioned earlier, when there is a will, there would always be a way.
In my opinion, the best we can do in the very circumstances is to continually remind the troops that they are the real national heroes of Nigeria. And their sacrifices would never be in vain.
For every night they patrol and lie in trenches keeping watch over us as we go to sleep, for the long days and months they spend away from their families and loved ones, every tears they shed for Nigeria, the majority of Nigeria and Nigerians would forever appreciate.
It is only those that are ignorant that would not see this great work. And it also those that are myopic that would not agree that indeed President Muhammadu Buhari is God sent to rescue Nigeria from the brinks of collapse. If not for anything, let us learn to call a spade and spade in Nigeria. This is just a word of encouragement to the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai and his soldiers.
Nwachukwu is the president, African Mothers of Virtue.
Whoever is aware that miyeti Allah endorsed Buhari publicly & Still votes for Buhari has made his/herself a partaker in bloodshed.
Wat sanfara and bronu and other places benue re dey not Nigeria
Haters of Buhari will sorely disagree with you on this.
Jatto Kunle who give this one phone to type rubbish
Oluwakayode Gabriel Ojo I don’t know fa wen people crying for help in sanfara
Animal Father what of Bornu, zamfara, jos, benue and thausand of soldiers been killed
The Capital of Nigeria was illegally moved from Lagos. Lagos is the perfect place. It must return back to Lagos where it belongs. For now no bombs, I wish it remains so ijn
Stupid gutter media, so you reminding boko boys where next to bomb abi
Sorry hope you not at Abuja but is better to go to Abuja so dat buari will take it serious bcos people is dying
Nigeria tribune may ur poor company burn before 2019. Poor people
What happened to benue, taraba, zamfara ,Kaduna, plateau, shall happen to you all
Glory be to GOD. It’s a good one
Nonsense, is Abuja d only city in Nigeria? Does Buhari promised 2 protect Abuja alone? Hundreds are being killed & kidnapped in Zamfara, Birnin Gwari, Katsina etc
APC news paper
3 years of hunger induced suicides, loss of jobs and nepotism.
Very good but the same government bail out the man that detonated the bomb he is walking a free man today
Bala David u are blessed…it shows insensitive on the part of the, government..Is Abuja the only state that needs adequate security?
Bornu daily with bombs and still counting. This how u guys wanna attract BH to abuja soon with this boastful tendency.
https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/happening-now-boko-haram-attacks-yobe-borno-villages-simultaneously.html
Of course the people throwing the bomb are now in power. They have succeeded in discreaditing Jonathan and taking over
That’s not achievment. Bokoharam has developed another ways to perpetrate their evil. No bombing in abuja but they succeed in killing our soldier anyhow like like flies
How do you expect Bomb in Abuja when the man behind the Bombs lives in Abuja,can any sane man bomb his place of residence?.
The bombers are now in charge of Government so what do you expect?
Nothing lasts for ever
It this a public invitation or public announcement ? …. What about other parts facing it?
that’s APC work then, just to take over Government….
Because the bombers are in power
What is the problem with some journalists? This demonly possessed writer(s) is/are just trying to draw the attention of the terrorist towards making effort to distort the peace here again. Please and please, it’s not every thing that’s worth writing about to get the attention of the public when we all know that it may come with catastrophic ramifications. The government should sanction Nigerian Tribune for putting this rubbish out to the public.
That’s why Buhari is the main man. He drove the dreaded Boko Haram out of the 17 local governments they had seized under the PDP, pushed them to sambisa forest and has succeeded in reducing the rate of bombings and invasions by the Boko Haram.
NEXT LEVEL is loadind, for real.
Yobe, Borno was just told are part of Nigeria.
Deception of the highest order
Yes, because the masterminds of the past bombings are now in power
Olukayode Adedeji that means the herdsmen and bandits attack wud also stop the moment PDP gt to power because they are also behind it.Gbam!
Israel Amulum Atikuthief and PDP are also behind bandits and herdsmen attack
This govt is so myopic and childish in their judgement and analysing issues.
Emmanuel U. Igwe tge herdmens attack is also the work of PDP just to take over Government
Zamfara, Benue, Taraba, Yobe Bornu plateau, Nasarawa Etc. three years of mass killings, STILL COUNTING