President Goodluck Jonathan has saluted the courage of the officers and men of the Joint Task Force in checking the incessant attacks by members of the Boko Haram insurgents.

Responding to the demands by the residents of Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, to intervene on the toughness of the taskforce, the President urged the people to exercise patience with the JTF because the present situation in the state called for the serious security checks, explaining that there was nothing of such prior to 2009.

He appreciated the role being played by the JTF towards finding solution to the wave of attacks on residents and security agents in the state and curbing the menace of the insurgents. He commended the security operatives for their courage and patriotism which they had been exhibiting since the commencement of the attacks.

“These people left their families and homes; they are suffering under scorching sun and passing through various difficulties for you and I to sleep fine. They really deserve commendation for the service to their fatherland,” President Jonathan said.

Saying that he always felt sad over the loss of life of any officer in the service to the fatherland, the President called on the insurgents to desist from the killings in Borno State while appreciating the relative peace across other states of the country.

He also enjoined Borno elders to work assiduously towards lasting peace in the state and the nation at large.

The President, however, said the JTF could only be withdrawn from the state if the elders in Borno could guarantee the safety of the lives and properties of the inhabitants.