NAF MI-171 Helicopter crash: Group solicits support, prayers for military

A non-partisan advocacy group, the Unity Advocacy Group (UAG) has urged Nigerians to irrespective of their faith support and intensify prayers for the Armed Forces of Nigeria as they continue to make sacrifices for peace and stability of the country.

UAG said the support and prayers help members of the Armed Forces defeat all the enemies of the country.

The group made the call in reaction to the crash of a Nigerian Air Force MI-171 Helicopter while on a rescue mission on Monday and ambush of troops in the Shiroro area of Niger state.

UAG in a press release by the Convener, Ifeanyi Aigbedion in Wednesday, said the Armed Forces of Nigeria more than any other institution in the country have made sacrifices for the country.

The group while commending the military for the successes being recorded in the various theatres of operations, said it is convinced that despite the recent incidents, the AFN under the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Gwabin Musa will continue to pursue and eliminate enemies of the country.

According to UAG, “The recent surrender of 78 more Boko Haram terrorists and their family members to the troops of Sector 3 Multinational Joint Task Force(MNJTF) Operation Hadin Kai in Monguno Local Government Area of Borno State is a result of sustained onslaught on their hideouts by troops.

“We urge Nigerians to continue to support and pray for our troops, ably led by the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Gwabin Musa. With our support and prayers, light will definitely be at the end of the tunnel.

“Their sacrifices for peace and stability cannot be matched by any other institution in the country.

“We use this opportunity to appeal to terrorists and other criminals in the society to lay down arms, because the AFN from our observation, will not give up in their pursuit. Now is the time, to surrender and turn a new leaf before it is too late,” UAG added.