By Barnabas Manyam, Yola
The Nigerian Army has commenced the distribution of food items to the Internally Displaced Peoples IDPs who are occupying a large camp in Adamawa state.
Chief of Army Staff General Tukur Buratai who flagged off the food distribution program in Yola said the Army was determined to take care victims of conflicts in the six years old insurgency.
Buratai was represented by the General Officer Commanding 3 Division Nigerian Army Jos, Brig General Benjamin Ahanote.
Brigadier General Ahanote, said the Army would continue to partner stakeholders to impact positively in providing security and humanitarian services to the people of the country.
He expressed gratitude to the state governments of Adamawa and Taraba states.
Speaking earlier, the Commander 23rd Armoured Brigade, Brigadier Gen. Bello Mohammed, said the empowerment initiative programme, was part of the Nigerian Army’s effort in the stabilisation phase of the ongoing counter terrorism and counter insurgency operations in the north east.
He said the Army efforts would complement the presidential committee on North East Initiative and mostly importantly make Adamawa state an IDP free state.
He added that in contemporary warfare, winning a war would not be complete if the peace angle is left undone, stressing that the relief materials are aimed at winning the peace in the North east.
Items distributed included, ICT equipment, agriculture item and livestock , sewing machines, hairdressing and barbing equipment, carpentry equipment and vulcanizing equipments.
Meanwhile, the Adamawa state Government has announced that it would soon be closing down all internally displaced persons camps throughout the state, as normalcy was gradually being restored to the troubled areas after almost six years of insurgency.
The state Governor , Senator, Mohammed Umaru Jibrilla, stated this while speaking at the chief of Army staff internally displaced persons empowerment scheme at Malkoyi IDPs camp in Yola.
Jibrilla said that with the restoration of normalcy in the 7 local government council areas affected by the Boko Haram insurgency, it has become imperative for the people to be resettled in their places of abode, so that they can resume their normal lives they were enjoying before the insurgency.
He stated that except for few pockets of sporadic attacks in Madagali , which border the Sambisa forest, peace has been restored and expressed gratitude to the gallant officers and men of the armed forces for their sacrifices in bringing about Normalcy.
The Governor commended the Federal government under the leadership of President Mohammed Buhari, for its quick resolve in bringing the insurgency to an end.
He stated that the closure of the camps was enable the displaced persons be reintegrated and be useful to themselves once again , adding that it would boost agriculture.
