Insurgency: Settle entitlements, welfare packages of victims, Buhari tells security chiefs

PRESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari has ordered service chiefs to immediately settle the entitlements of citizens affected by insurgency across the country, as well as the welfare packages designed for their dependents.

The president stated this when he inaugurated the 2020 Emblem Appeal Launch for the Armed Forces Remembrance Day celebration, at the Council Chamber of the Presidential Villa, Abuja, on Wednesday.

According to him, it was the responsibility of government to ensure that families of fallen heroes did not suffer the loss of their loved ones and, at the same time, be deprived of their due benefits.

President Buhari said the Federal Government would continue to do all within its powers to look after the bereaved families.

“The unfortunate cost of the war against insurgency and other internal security operations is the loss of lives of some of our officers and men in the Armed Forces.

“These very sad occurrences create deep wounds to loved ones. It is, therefore, our duty to ensure that the loss of these breadwinners does not relegate the spouses and dependents to a life of want and deprivation.

“Government will do all in its powers to look after the bereaved,” he said.

The president explained that the Federal Government established the Nigerian Legion to ensure that the veterans continued to share the comradeship that existed while in service and adequately cater for their welfare at exit.

He, therefore, noted with delight that the legion was carrying out initiatives in transportation, agriculture, housing and other ventures in partnership with the private sector.

The president reiterated that the Federal Government would remain steadfast in developing alliances with neighbours and friends in the international community for the total defeat of the Boko Haram insurgents.

He maintained that peace and security of Nigeria was non-negotiable, while urging security agencies to continue to do their work diligently to secure the country.

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The president recalled that the Armed Forces Remembrance Day celebration was intentionally fixed for January 15 annually to commemorate the end of the Nigeria Civil War, adding that the occasion reminded Nigerians of the need to guard the unity of the country which was won at a great cost.

Earlier, the Minister of Defence, Major-General Bashir Magashi, had appealed for support from Nigerians for families of those left behind by the country’s fallen heroes.

He, therefore, called on all Nigerians to donate generously to the worthy cause to enable the nation fulfill its responsibility to the Nigerian legion and families of fallen heroes.

President Buhari and Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo were decorated with the emblem by the national chairman of the Nigerian legion, Brigadier-General Jones Akpa (retd).

The Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, who was at the event, was also decorated with the emblem by the secretary of the legion.