In a move seen by many as unusual thumbs-up from the camp of the opposition, the All Progressives Congress on Friday commended President Goodluck Jonathan for visiting troubled Borno State on Thursday, describing it as a welcome development.

On its part, the ruling People’s Democratic Party described the visit by Jonathan to soldiers in the frontline and internally displaced people in camps in Maiduguri as evidence of his commitment to the war against terrorism.

Meanwhile, the military on Friday rejected in absolute terms the report that was repeatedly aired on CNN this week, which presented footages of interviews with alleged Nigerian soldiers, branding it a calculated blackmail.

The APC commended Jonathan for the courage shown in visiting Maiduguri to pep up the gallant troops battling the Boko Haram insurgency, but said the President has more trips to make to Chibok, Buni Yadi and Potiskum, among others.

In a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the party said the President should follow up his visit to the epi-centre of the Boko Haram battle with visits to the parents of the 219 missing Chibok girls as well as the families of the boys who were killed at the Federal Government College in Buni Yadi, Yobe State, last year.

It said it was only by doing so that the President could begin to refute the published report that his visit to Maiduguri on Thursday was politically motivated, “aimed at laying the foundation for his impending electioneering campaign swing across the north, especially to Maiduguri on Jan. 21st.

''We have always said the President and the Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces should never be afraid to visit anywhere in the country. We have always said the President should not just be the Commander-in-Chief but also the Consoler-in-Chief. We are glad that the President has finally agreed with us.

''But it is necessary to remind the President that he must not play politics with human lives and that he must stop putting Jonathan first, Jonathan second and Jonathan third, at the expense of the nation,'' APC said.

The opposition party added: “It is instructive that a few hours after President Jonathan visited Maiduguri, the global news channel CNN aired an interview with some Nigerian soldiers who complained of very low morale among the rank and file, lack of fighting equipment and very poor welfare. Another blamed the terrible situation being faced by the troops on massive corruption.

''This does no credit to an administration that has allocated billions of naira to the defence and security sector, billions that apparently did not percolate to those at the front line of the battle. It calls to question the usage to which the government has put the huge funds allocated to the sector, including the 1-billion-dollar loan that was recently approved by the National Assembly.''

On its part, the PDP described Jonathan’s visit to Maiduguri as morale boosting and that the Service Chiefs to Maiduguri, Borno State saying it further demonstrates his commitment to the on-going war against terrorism in the country.

PDP National Publicity Secretary, Olisa Metuh in a statement yesterday said the President’s assurances to the military on their welfare and equipment had become a catalyst to the overall determination to win the war against insurgency.

CNN’s damaging story on Nigerian military concocted, says Defence Ministry…
The military yesterday rejected in absolute terms the report that was repeatedly aired on CNN this week, which presented footages of interviews with alleged Nigerian soldiers, branding it a calculated blackmail.

The Director of Defence Information (DDI), Maj-Gen. Chris Olukolade in a statement said the report was another orchestrated smear campaign targeted at the image and character of the Nigerian Armed Forces “by some entrenched interests.”

Olukolade said the CNN interview and reports were an unfortunate effort to promote blackmail, adding that it smacks of an international conspiracy against Nigeria’s national security.

According to him, a reputable medium is not expected to indulge in propagating concocted stories from persons or individuals whose identity remains questionable.

Unfortunately, he said the report had been so zealously repeated with a view to enhancing its effect in terms of mischief.

Olukolade noted: “Even if the blackmailers turned out to be Nigerian soldiers, the scenario only bespeak of the extent to which those who seek to bring the Nigerian military into disrepute can go in their desperation. Without making any attempt to dignify an absolute mendacity, this Headquarters wishes to restate that the Federal Government and the leadership of the Nigerian Armed Forces are without doubt committed and focused on the ongoing fight against terror and is ensuring that both weapons and welfare are incrementally provided to the fighting force.

"Our soldiers know this and they are gallantly working round the clock to reverse the unfortunate gains of terrorists and improve the security situation in the affected areas. The orchestrated blackmail and propaganda against the leadership of the Nigerian military will certainly not stop us from stamping out terrorism in our country."

A purported Nigerian soldier was shown in the CNN report complaining about inadequate equipment and lack of motivation to fight the terrorist Boko Haram sect.

NSA Vows to Stop Terrorists’ Capacity to Recruit Members…
The National Security Adviser (ONSA), Col. Sambo Dasuki, as part of its triple-component countering violent extremism (CVE) programme, has vowed to stop the capacity of the Boko Haram terrorist group to recruit new members.
Dasuki, who was represented by the Director, Behavioural Analysis and Strategic Communications, Office of the NSA (ONSA), Dr. Fatima Akilu, stated this on Friday in Abuja at the unveiling of the De-radicalisation Programme

Children in N’East in Desperate Need of Protection from Violence…
The United Nations (UN) Special Envoy to Nigeria, Leila Zerrougui said yesterday that children in North East part of Nigeria are in desperate need of protection from act of terrorism and violence perpetuated by Boko Haram insurgents

Zerrougui, a special envoy representing the UN Secretary General, Ban Ki-Moon on Children and Armed Conflicts at the end of a week-long visit to Nigeria said children growing up in Nigeria’s northeast were in need of protection from relentless.

The Special Representative travelled to Nigeria to assess the conflict’s impact on children. She met the country’s federal authorities, the authorities of Adamawa State, the United Nations, the diplomatic community, civil society and other partners to galvanize efforts to gather and verify information on grave violations committed against children.