Group urges soldiers to remain steadfast in the war against Boko Haram

A group of young Nigerians under the aegis of Patriotic Youth in Nigeria (PYN) has sent a heart-warming message to the Nigerian Army on the need to remain steadfast and resolute in the war against insurgency.

The group specifically urged Nigerians to double their support for Tukur Buratai, chief of army staff, and other commanders leading the war.

PYN urged the army never to be deterred by the recent attack in the Melete area of Borno state, which led to the death of some officers and soldiers on the battlefront .

“The last few days have been really challenging for the military hierarchy and for President Buhari as well- uneasy lies the head that wears the crown, as is commonly said. Without a doubt, our military remains committed to securing Nigeria and Nigerians, this commitment often requires selfless sacrifice sometimes even the Ultimate Sacrifice,” the group said in a statement.

“It is therefore very regrettable that whenever these valiant defenders encounter setback in their campaign to rid the land of bloodthirsty insurgents, the very ones being protected see it as another opportunity to ridicule, demean and sometimes even deride the role of the military in ensuring our peace and safety as Nigerians. Reasonable folks acknowledge that setbacks are a regular feature in the menu of success and the wise know that hardly is there any success story without a setback.

“The recent attack on the military in Metele, Borno State is highly regrettable; many officers and Nigerian soldiers lost their lives as admitted by the army. It was indeed a very sad event.

“We, the Patriotic Youths in Nigeria PYN, find it really appalling that in the midst of this calamity, some mischievous and unscrupulous persons have sought to make some political gain from it; this is downright shameful to say the least.

“War is always unpredictable and we all can agree that anyone can start a war but nobody can ever tell how it will go or when it will end. As sophisticated as the United States of America is, the US Army suffered the hugest recorded casualty- in men and machinery- in Afghanistan, 9 years after the anti terror campaign started i.e. in 2010 when they lost as much as 499 soldiers. Note that the number is just one less than 500 US Army soldiers lost while fighting in the same locale after nine years! Similarly, they lost 418 soldiers in the following year 2011.

“Why did we have to bring out all this statistics? We did this to show to all who may be genuinely concerned, that a setback in a war does not mean a defeat. Whilst it is not our desire that such occurrence should happen again, it is important we put things in proper perspective.”