From Okwe Obi, Abuja
A group known as Rebirth Coalition has adjudged the European Union’s (EU) assessment of Nigeria’s military operation as fair.
Recall that the EU’s Managing Director for Africa, Rita Laranjinha, led a team accompanied by its Ambassador to Nigeria, Samuel Isopi, and United Nations (UN) officials on a courtesy visit to the Theatre Commander Joint Task Force (JTF) North East (NE) Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK), Major General Christopher Musa.
During the visit, Laranjinha commended the Nigerian military for its ongoing efforts at restoring peace in the Northeast.
She further commended the troops for their resilience, bravery and sacrifice in the face of daunting challenges.
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She expressed delight over the beautiful sight and calm nature of the one-time most troubled region in Nigeria.
“I must commend the military for doing a great job without relenting,” she said.
Similarly, Mathew Baldwin, Deputy Director General, European Union Commission, during a visit to an illegal refining site in Rivers, to inspect the impacts on the environment by the European Union, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Ltd (NNPC) and the Joint Task Force (JTF) Operation Delta Safe, commended the JTF and the NNPC, for the great work done to salvage and restore the Nigerian oil and gas sector.
To that end, Convener of Rebirth Coalition, Oladapo Bolaji and Secretary, Hassan Danladi, in a statement, on Tuesday, claimed that their verdict would bolster the morale of soldiers to conquer bandits terrorising the country.
“The Coalition is reassured by the words of the EU delegation that the various efforts of the Armed Forces of Nigeria under Gen. Leo Irabor will eventually restore peace in the places facing security challenges.
“We are also assured that economic development will be boosted as the JTF decisively tackle oil thieves in the Niger-Delta region.
“Nigerians must not allow criminals to instil fear into us, we must continue to support and pray for the military. We in the Rebirth Coalition see light at the end of the tunnel,” he said.