BEVERLY HILLS, October 02, (THEWILL) – The Nigerian Army has started a 30-day sensitisation and public awareness campaign against violent religious extremism in the North East.
This was revealed on Monday by the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Tukur Burutai, at the launch of the campaign in Maiduguri.
Represented by Maj.-Gen. David Ahmadu, the Chief of Training and Operations, Nigerian Army, Buratai said the sensitisation was to counter extremist ideologies and orientation in the society saying the exercise would majorly focus on clerics and dangers associated with religious extremism and how the clerics could help to address the menace.
He explained that the sensitisation was imperative to disprove the false teachings, misleading and fabricated ideologies of insurgents as part of efforts to contain the spread of negative ideologies and bring about ideologies that promote love, peace and unity in the society.
He added that the Nigeria Army had initiated de-radicalisation programme to facilitate rehabilitation and reintegration into the society of surrendered Boko Haram insurgents.
“The Nigerian Army also engaged in various operations to ensure security, peace and unity in country,” he said.
“Operation Python Dance II is one of them and it is ongoing and reports indicated that a lot has been achieved toward enhancing peace in many parts of the country.”
Buratai noted that the independence visit by President Muhammadu Buhari to troops of “Operation Lafiya Dole” in Maiduguri was a morale booster to them.
He reiterated the commitment of the Nigerian Army to be loyal and disciplined toward building a stable and peaceful democratic society and urged parents to ensure proper moral upbringing of their wards, to enable them to become responsible citizens.
He also tasked community and religious leaders, as well as stakeholders to work together toward promoting unity and peaceful coexistence in the country.
