The Amir of Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat of Nigeria, Alatoye Azeez, has called on Nigerians to support the efforts of the armed forces in the fight against insurgency and banditry across the country.

Azeez, who made the call on Channels Television’s Sunrise on Saturday, said it was ungodly for citizens to conspire with criminals against frontline Nigerian soldiers.

“We can’t be colluding with bandits, terrorists, turning them against the soldiers. That is so ungodly and that is a lack of sense of sacrifice because as they are sacrificing themselves, we also have to sacrifice ourselves by supporting them fully.

“I can’t see that support for them, and a lot of them, you know, are dying, still, they are still committed. I also have a very strong belief we must provide very strong support to them,” he said.

While speaking on the lessons at Sallah, the Amir said Nigerians must demonstrate the correct spirit of sacrifice, as exemplified by the Nigerian military.

“Unfortunately, the soldiers sacrifice their lives on the war front, but I do not see that level of sacrifice from the nation backing them up. It’s like we are pushing them forward to war fronts.

“But we are turning back from them and leaving them alone. We must support all the soldiers; we can’t send them to the war front and not give them the right support. And when I say the right support, I don’t mean only ammunition. All citizens of the country must stand by them,” he added.

Azeez, therefore, called for more public enlightenment to complement the government’s efforts in addressing insecurity.

“We need to do a lot of the national orientation, and I also agree with Mr. President that we must provide that support,” he added.

‘Pray For Soldiers’

President Bola Tinubu on Friday called for more prayers for the military, particularly those confronting terrorists and bandits, making sacrifices to keep the nation safe.

The Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, disclosed this in a statement on X.

The President, who observed the Eid-al-Adha prayers at the Eid Ground in Dodan Barracks, Lagos, was quoted as saying, “We should remember to pray and give to those who are very vulnerable in the spirit of the season, which is sacrifice.

“We must unite, remain our brothers’ keeper, and give to our neighbours. We should show love to everyone. We must also pray hard for our troops to keep us safe.

“They are making sacrifices in the challenges that we face from terrorism and banditry today. We must pray for them specifically, remember their sacrifices, and continue to behave well as citizens.”. (Channels TV)

•Theatre Commander Joint Task Force North West Operation Fansan Yamma, Major General Oluyinka Soyele, addressing troops.