Insurgency: Army embarks on community development projects in Northeast

The Nigerian Army on Monday said it had embarked on community development projects to fast-track re-settlement of communities ravaged by ‘Boko Haram’ insurgency in the northeast.

Maj.-Gen. Benson Akinroluyo, the Theater Commander, Operation ‘Lafiya Dole’, on Monday in Maiduguri said that the projects were initiated under the ‘corporate social responsibility’ component of their service to the nation.

He said the projects included construction of bridges, roads and dams, as well as renovation of schools, sensitization of communities and the distribution of farm inputs,among others.

The commander said the gesture was designed to accelerate peace building process and enhance re-settlement of displaced persons.

Elaborating on the projects, Akinroluyo explained that fertilizer and tractors were distributed to farmers during the 2017 and 2018 cropping seasons in Abadam, Marte and Guzamala Local Government Areas of Borno.

The commander added that the army constructed a dam at Postikum in Yobe to encourage irrigation activities and livestock production, as well as constructed boreholes to enhance access to potable water in various communities.

Akinroluyo listed bridges reconstructed to include those of Frigi, Banki Junction and Duji, destroyed by the insurgents, just as he also listed the roads that were either constructed or rehabilitated as Mafa-Dikwa; Maiduguri-Bama, Maiduguri-Damboa and Gwoza-Tokmbere-Sail Huda.

According to him, the projects are designed to ease movement of goods and services, as well as enhance safety of road users.

“The Nigerian army has reconstructed schools burnt down by the Boko Haram terrorist in some communities in the northeast.

“Our troops also served as teachers at newly re-opened schools in rural communities.

“Also, the army conducted free medical outreach programmes and constructed medical regimental stations at Bama and Gubio communities in Borno,” he said.

Commenting on the counter-insurgency operations, Akinroluyo said the army authorities had established Human Rights Desks in each military formation to enhance compliance with International Human Rights laws.

He stressed that the military authorities had ‘zero’ tolerance for human rights violation, adding that erring officers would be sanctioned.

He called on the people in the northeast to cooperate with the military and provide useful information on suspicious movements and activities in their respective communities.