By Abdullahi Mohammed

Since return to democracy, Nigeria has been confronted with multi-pronged security challenges.

In the North-East, the terrorist group, Boko Haram, has carried out a bloody campaign against western education.

Similarly, in the North-Central, farmers-herders clashes are rampant; in the North-West, bandits are on the rampage; in the South-East, the secessionist group, IPOB, is marauding; the security challenges are overwhelming.

The strain on national resources, human and material, is enormous; thereby, necessitating effective and urgent measures to stop the menace.

According to budget implementation report, the Federal Government disbursed a total of N1.03tn to boost the fight against insecurity and terrorism between January 2024 and June 2024.

For nearly two decades now, one state that has heavily borne the brunt of the problem is Borno; the birth place and operational base of Boko Haram.

Social and economic lives have been disrupted, making it imperative for practical steps to be taken to restore law and order in the region.

The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, assures that the military is equal to the task.

Oluyede, however, recognises the importance of good welfare package and motivation if the dream would be realised.

“The strength of the Nigerian Army does not solely lie in the weapons we place on the battlefield, but more in the will of our soldiers who wield them.’’

He spoke in Maiduguri during the COAS bi-annual conference while meeting with top-ranking army officers spearheading the onslaught against the insurgents.

“Accordingly, it behoves on everyone seated here to show exemplary leadership, to mentor and guide the next generation on the right path.

“We will play our role and there will come a time where it will be their turn to take the reins of leadership at every level.

“Hence, our action today will resonate in the future and our achievements will from the foundations of their beginning,” he said.

Gov. Babagana Zulum of Borno aligns with Oluyede.

Recently, Zulum announced a donation of N300 million to support the families of soldiers who lost their lives in the ongoing battle against Boko Haram insurgents.

The governor made the announcement after attending the 2025 anti-terrorism military operation, Operation Desert Sanity II medal parade held in Njemena, Chad Republic.

Security analysts believe that improving motivation could help in stabilising the professional conduct of serving personnel on the battlefield, wounded soldiers and of course the families of those killed on active service.

Worthy of mention, Zulum has been consist in financially supporting the families of the military personnel killed on active service and the teeming soldiers who were wounded too while fighting the Boko Haram insurgents in the state, as witnessed in the last one year more than ever before.

Observers say the governor’s legacies, especially in the provisions of operational logistics to military services, other security agencies and stakeholders in the state, remain unforgettable to many.

Zulum had on June 7 gifted a N100 million support to 88 wounded soldiers and families of fallen heroes in the state.

The gift was handed over to the Theatre Commander of Operation Hadin Kai, Maj-Gen Abdulsalam Abubakar in Maiduguri.

Of the hundred million, Zulum said each wounded soldier would receive N500,000, while N56 million would be distributed to the families of fallen heroes as a token.

About one N100 million naira was also gifted to the wounded soldiers and the families of the fallen heroes in December 2024 by the governor in Maiduguri.

Explaining how the narrative has suddenly changed in the ongoing resurgence operations, Abubakar, who was deeply engaged, said more than 100 terrorists, including 12 Boko Haram Commanders, had been neutralised within a week operation in Marte, Izge and Bitta communities of Borno.

Of course, the success was in connection with the use and application of COAS motivational techniques and the shower of Zulum’s incentives to the command’s wounded soldiers and the families of the deceased soldiers.

Zulum’s usual humility made him believe that his generosity alone could not heal the pains in the hearts of the wounded soldiers and the families of those killed in the battlefield.

To prove that, the governor further expressed his administration’s gratitude to the fallen heroes who sacrificed their lives to protect lives, property and the territorial integrity of the country.

Mr Dauda Iliya, Zulum’s spokesperson, said since the beginning of the security and post conflict recovery in the last one year, the governor had procured 110 vehicles and distributed some to Military, Police, NSCDC and CJTF for surveillance in urban and resettled communities.

Iliya said that the governor had also procured 500 motorcycles to enhance military security patrol in rural communities of Borno.

According to him, the state government has also procured assorted security gadgets, equipment and other logistics for security outfits.

“The governor graciously approved the recruitment of 1,250 Civilian JTF to strengthen local security and compliment the effort security agents prosecuting the counter insurgency incentives,” the spokesperson said.

Stakeholders say that the Zulum and Oluyede’s approach to ensure higher level of motivation and mentoring is yielding results than many think as witnessed previously in the overwhelming victory over the insurgents in the ongoing resurgence operations.

Worthy of recall, Oluyede had on May 23 ordered Commanding officers and soldiers to crush and clear terrorists without showing any mercy out of the Nigeria’s territory.

“Ladies and gentlemen, there is no contesting our decision to completely neutralise these detractors to peace.

“Thus, I charge each and every officer and soldier to spare no quarter in running these terrorists and criminals to the ground,” COAS said.

He insisted that every strategic decision made at that conference must be adopted to achieve its set objectives.

In addition to that, the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Hassan Abubakar, also expressed happiness on how intelligence surveillance in Sambisa Forest and Lake Chad region has been intensified with the procurement of Super Tucano aircraft.

The air chief happily announced further that the new aerial platforms had enabled night operations to target terrorists’ hideouts in the forest effectively.

Security experts say major actors in governmental affairs and other stakeholders have lessons to learn from Zulum’s approach.

“Zulum’s consistency in being transparent and generous with resources at his disposal in boosting the morale of troops as well as reaching out to wounded soldiers and the families of fallen heroes needs to be emulated,’’ a security expert said.

All in all, stakeholders say that Zulum’s approach could raise the spirits of serving personnel and motivate them to put in their best while facing the enemy of the state. (NANFeatures)

***If used please credit the writer and the News Agency of Nigeria.