The immediate past Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant-General Kenneth Minimah, has stated that the fight against Boko Haram lingered for such a long time because it was used as an effective tool to advance political, religious, and sectional interests in the country.

Minimah said with the strict disciplinary measures he instilled through various court-martial, he was able to turn the table against the terrorists that they could no longer mount an open warfare against the Nigerian military.

He made these remarks on Wednesday, during his valedictory speech on the occasion of his pulling out ceremony at Mogadishu Cantonment Parade Ground in Abuja.

According to him, the country could have defeated Boko Haram if there was united voice in the counter-terrorism and counter-insurgency operations against the terrorists in the North-east.

 “Boko Haram may have its greatest impact in Nigeria, but its ability to hurt other nations’ interests no matter the distance is real. In the last decade, we have seen the extent to which people, who harbour evil against their fellow humans, can go to inflict pain and death on innocent people.

“This is the time for all to rise in unison to not only condemn, but take actions against the activities of the Boko Haram terrorists and other criminal elements in order to foster peace and security in our society.

“Perhaps, if we had all stood against the terrorists at the onset through public condemnation of their activities and active collaboration with the military to confront them rather than use it as a tool to advance sectional, tribal, religious and political interests, we would not have been where we found ourselves today. We must therefore, all unite and support our government and security forces to tackle the current security challenges,” he added.

Minimah said he encountered enormous challenges on assumption of office, but he was able to turn things around and prioritise efforts towards enhancing their collective operational readiness through the three pillars of improved training, modernisation of equipment and enhancing of troops’ welfare.

Speaking further, the former Army Chief said he inspired and rekindled the spirit in troops backed by military sanctions, thereby, expressing satisfaction that the situation is much better today.

Today, he said, the country is more secure and stable. “The ability of Boko Haram terrorists to confront our security forces in open combat is virtually non-existent. Its leadership is in hiding, afraid for their lives and no longer intimidating the public with their propaganda videos.

“Sensing imminent defeat, they have resorted to targeting innocent and vulnerable civilians. I am convinced that this also would soon be a thing of the past as their days of terrorism and insurgency are numbered. In the same vein, I can confidently say that the security threats in the North-central and North-western zones have been sufficiently addressed,” he remarked.

Also, Minimah noted that “a nation is as strong as its armed forces and the strength of the armed forces is in the quality of the individual soldier and his fighting spirit.”

“Fighting spirit imbues the soldier with confidence to stand up to the adversary, rather than flee like the army witnessed in the recent past; while adequate attention to his (soldiers) welfare demonstrates his nation’s commitment to his well-being and motivates him to sacrifice everything including his life, discipline and sanctions confines him within the military.

“For long, our nation has toyed with the health and vitality of its military. This is the time for our country to reinvigorate the armed forces by investing t in the armed forces. Government must provide the necessary resources and right political environments to recruit, train, equip, kit, and remunerate our servicemen.”

According to him, “We all have a role to play to make our armed forces great again. Sometimes, all it takes is a simple thank you encouraging words to the men and women, who watch over our freedom and liberty,” he noted.