Nigeria’s President Muhammadu Buhari says his administration in the past six years has provided the country’s armed forces a firm strategy and clear sense of direction to safeguard the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the West African country.
President Buhari stated this on Thursday in northeastern Borno state when he visited personnel of the country’s security forces of Operation Hadin Kai.
The Nigerian leader also expressed satisfaction at the increased cooperation within the military which he says has led to degrading insurgents’ capabilities in the Timbuktu Triangle, Sambisa Forest and the Lake Chad Region.
“Under my watch, the Armed Forces of Nigeria have been provided a firm strategy and clear sense of direction to safeguard the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the country,” Mr Buhari said.
“Your collective efforts have resulted in the relative peace being enjoyed in the region today.
“We should not allow our adversaries the opportunity or breathing space to challenge or undermine our national interests and core values. The defence and security agencies should rest assured of the Federal Government’s unalloyed commitment to winning the battle against terror and criminality.
“I am particularly happy to note the increasing understanding and cooperation within the military, as well as the inter-agency cooperation in the fight against the terrorists and other criminal elements in the North East.
“The outcome of this synergy is evidenced by the successes recorded in the ongoing Operation TURA TAKAIBANGO which has so far degraded the insurgents’ capabilities in the Timbuktu Triangle, Sambisa Forest and the Lake Chad Region.”
President Buhari also assured military personnel his administration’s commitment to acquire more combat equipment to cater for both the short and long-term requirements in the fight against terrorism.
He said: “Several interventions by this government have led to the procurement and delivery of large consignments of critical combat enablers, including high calibre weapons and ammunition.
“Many have been injected into the Theatre and soon other equipment that have just arrived the country would also be deployed to the Theatre of operations. Much more equipment will be procured for the Armed Forces to cater for both the short and long-term requirements.
“I would like, at this point to also commend the hierarchy of our Armed Forces for their strategic foresight in ensuring that some of our critical military equipment are fabricated locally.
“The repairs and maintenance of some of these vital weapons are now being carried out in the country thereby saving the nation a lot of foreign exchange and also creating jobs for our teeming population.
“As personnel of our Armed Forces and security agencies, you must understand that these items of equipment must be put to good use against the terrorists and other criminal elements. There is no room for complacency, and no need to be less than 100 per cent alert at all times.
“As your Commander-in-Chief, I want to assure you that this government will continue to work towards the provision of timely funding and procurement of equipment for the Armed Forces and other security agencies. This is intended to boost the prosecution of the ongoing war to a logical conclusion and also to serve our collective interests and well-being.”
The president commended the troops’ resilience, reminding them that the war against terror was still on in their bid to completely restore peace in the northeast region, stem the activities of armed bandits in the North West and North Central, as well as deal with other security challenges across the country.
By Abel Ejikeme