DistantNews
Support us
🇳🇬 Nigeria /Elections & Politics

Nigerian lawmaker urges national honors for military leaders after successful rescues

From The Punch · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Outcome reported
  • A Nigerian lawmaker urged President Tinubu to award national honors to top military leadership for recent security successes.
  • The call follows the successful rescue of schoolchildren in Oyo State and the foiling of an attempted abduction in Borno State.
  • The lawmaker cited these achievements as evidence of improved operational effectiveness and restored hope.

Philip Agbese, Deputy Spokesman of the House of Representatives, has called on President Bola Tinubu to bestow national honors upon Nigeria's top military officials. Agbese believes these leaders deserve the prestigious Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger (GCON) award for their role in recent security successes, particularly in Oyo and Borno states.

The successful resolution of the Orire abduction after 56 days in captivity and the decisive intervention in Monguno demonstrate the growing effectiveness of our security apparatus under your leadership.

— Philip AgbeseLawmaker Philip Agbese citing recent security operations as evidence of improved military effectiveness.

The lawmaker highlighted the successful rescue of schoolchildren and teachers abducted in Oyo State after 56 days in captivity, alongside the foiling of an attempted mass abduction at a college in Monguno, Borno State. These operations, according to Agbese, demonstrate a significant improvement in the effectiveness of the armed forces under the current military leadership.

"Our Chief of Defence Staff, Chief of Army Staff, and other principal military officers deserve the prestigious GCON honours for restoring hope to families and protecting the future of our children," Agbese stated during a security-focused event in Abuja. He emphasized that these achievements merit national recognition, especially as Nigeria continues to combat insurgency and banditry.

Our Chief of Defence Staff, Chief of Army Staff, and other principal military officers deserve the prestigious GCON honours for restoring hope to families and protecting the future of our children. These achievements merit national recognition.

— Philip AgbeseLawmaker Philip Agbese's appeal for national honors for top military officials.

The incident in Monguno involved troops from Operation HADIN KAI, collaborating with police and other security agencies, who engaged suspected Islamic State West Africa Province fighters. The attackers were repelled before they could abduct students, although stray bullets reportedly injured some individuals. Agbese commended the troops' swift response, describing the operation as a testament to the military's enhanced vigilance and rapid response capabilities, preventing what could have been another national tragedy.

Today’s operation in Monguno is a clear demonstration of the Army’s vigilance and rapid response capability. By foiling the abduction of these girls, our troops have prevented another national tragedy.

— Philip AgbeseLawmaker Philip Agbese praising the military's role in preventing an abduction attempt.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by The Punch in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

More Stories

From Our Blog