It is all over the internet, the military action of the United State’s Navy Seals, coming to Northern nigeria at night time yesterday, Saturday, in order to rescue a U.S. citizen, said to have been abducted days earlier.
Philop Walton, 27, was rescued from his armed-abductors( 6) after he was kidnapped from his home in neighboring southern Niger, leaving untouched his wife, young daughter and brother, and ransom were demanded. In this operation however, two US officials on condition of anonymity has disclosed that no US troops were hurt. In fact, a diplomatic source in Niger said Walton was now at the US ambassador’s residence in Niamey.
If all these narration speaks a volume, it would mean that U.S. troops came all the way from distant America, to conduct a military rescue mission in a foreign territory, killed some of the abductors, even held hostage and none of its troops were hurt not to talk of being killed and the mission(which was to rescue an American) was achieved, it is nothing short of “bravado”.
While it was a successful military outing for the U.S. troop, it should be a cause for concern, to all Nigerians and Africans in general. Insurgency and cases of kidnaps, hostage cases has been on rampage in recent years. It won’t be to exaggerating to say that monies spent to curb the menace of insecurity in Nigeria and Africa in general is enough to develop the continent into a full fledged economic hub.
Subsequent governments in Nigeria have spent billions and trillions to halt the increasing cases of hostage takings and insurgency with little result to show for it. For a foreign country like U.S. to have conducted a good aerial operation in Nigeria and achieving its intent 100%, is a cause for concerned for all Nigerian soldiers, politicians and masses alike.
That we all have a responsibility to play in ensuring a safer Nigeria is not a choice. If we want countries of the world to accord us due respect, citizens should be helping the military by giving useful information that could be nip in bud all criminal and illegal activities in the country. The government likewise should see this development as a challenge and therefore empower the military with the necessary tool and weapons needed to fight the menace of insecurity in the country.
Donald Trump, The U.S. president has praised the troops as he was quoted saying “Big win for our very elite US special forces today,”
The US secretary of state, Mike Pompeo, said: “The United States is committed to the safe return of all US citizens taken captive. We delivered on that commitment late last night in Nigeria … We will never abandon any American taken hostage.”
From these, we would see that the words of encouragement directed at the troops will go a long way in boosting their morales, knowing that their activities is giving the much needed attention and praises. Here in Nigeria, our politicians are also needed to encourage our military men as to grease their elbow, which is all they needed as they go about with their duty of protecting the country tho with less incentives.
Conclusively, it was learnt that the rescued Walton, who kept camels, sheep and poultry and grew mangoes near the border with Nigeria, was kidnapped by six men armed with assault rifles who arrived on motorcycles at his home in southern Niger’s Massalata village early on Tuesday.
Point here is, Philip Walton could be regarded to as “poor” by Americas’ standard and yet numbers of soldiers were sent to secure his release from armed kidnappers in a foreign terrain, this speaks of the importance and sensitivity of the American government towards the plight of all its citizens either rich or poor, far or near and Nigeria should borrow This this knowledge that every lives matter.
That it is wrong to take action only and when the rich and connected are the victims of violence and insurgency as observed lately. We should be concerned about our military’s plight and rescue them by providing enough incentives and weapons to boost their duty of protecting the live and lives of Nigerians within and outside the country.
From Opera News
