President Muhammadu Buhari has underscored the need to look beyond military and security agencies for lasting solutions to challenges of insecurity across the country.
The President stated this Tuesday in Abuja in an address at the opening ceremony of the Alumni Association of the National Defence College (AANDEC).
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Buhari, who urged Nigerians to get more interested in working with security agencies to tackle the challenges facing the country, extolled the courage and bravery displayed by security agencies and service chiefs in promoting peace and order.
The President said more could be achieved in bringing law and order to various parts of the country with the full cooperation of citizens.
“Security is not just a military concern but a challenge for all Nigerians. No matter the amount of money invested in military operations, without the support of the people, display of patriotism and preparedness for everyone to be ready to take ownership of securing our environment, success will be limited.
“Consequently, we must look beyond the military and the security agencies for enduring solutions to the security challenges we are facing,” he said in a statement issued by his spokesman, Femi Adesina.
President Buhari said the administration had put in place measures to adequately support the Armed Forces of Nigeria and other security agencies in terms of modern equipment, boosting the manpower of all security agencies and financing their operations in Nigeria and other international assignments.
“We have equally, recently, put in place a National Development Plan (2021 – 2025) covering medium- and long-term plans, with a vision to make Nigeria a country that has unlocked its potentials in all sectors of the economy for sustainable, holistic, and inclusive national development.
“We will in this regard be building a thriving and sustainable economy while improving access to quality education; enhance social inclusion as well as expand infrastructure among several others. All of these desirables can only be achieved in a peaceful and secure environment,” he added.
The President said security outfits in the country deserved commendation for their efforts in tackling issues of banditry, kidnapping and terrorism.
He assured Nigerians that the issue of kidnapping that had bedevilled the country in the recent past was being tackled with all seriousness.
“We have zero tolerance for kidnapping, especially of school children and we shall deal with such outrages decisively. The disruption of our educational system and economic activities will not be tolerated.
“I have directed that all cases relating to security breaches, economic sabotage and wanton destruction of lives and property across the entire nation be immediately addressed.
“Let me add here that the Armed Forces have been deployed in virtually all states of the Federation to combat any security challenges,” he said.
The President noted that the National Security Strategy 2019 was very clear on all of the issues related to safety, with the need for individuals, the private sector, civil society groups, media, politicians, traditional institutions and government functionaries to key into the endeavour.
In his remark, the Minister of Defence, Maj. Gen. Bashir Salihi Magashi (rtd), said Nigerians had put up resilience in the face of challenges, adding that security outfits should also be aware of the rights of citizens.
The President of AANDEC, Air Commodore Darlington Abdullahi said there was a need to change the narrative of the country, adding that Nigerians had made indelible marks in their various fields of endeavour, and greatly impacted the global economy.
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