President Muhammadu Buhari, on Thursday, said the country’s security challenges are beyond the simplistic options being bandied around.
Buhari, in his Christmas message, however, said his administration will remain focused on following the complex, multi-dimensional route to reduce the incidents of insecurity to the barest minimum.
He urged the armed forces and security agencies to do more to checkmate the increasing incidents of security threats, especially in the northern parts of the country as well as the entire nation.
Buhari said: “I am even more distressed when our youths, especially school children, are the targets and victims of mindless and malevolent elements in the society.
“As a parent, I share the emotional torture and agony parents and guardians go through whenever their children and wards fall into the cruel hands of these enemies of decency and good society.
“For me, providing security for all residents in the country remains an article of faith. It formed a vital segment of this administration’s three-point agenda right from inception, and we must follow through with it.
“I cannot in good conscience shirk this cardinal responsibility to secure lives and property.
“To be sure, the problems are beyond the simplistic options being bandied around. We shall remain focused on following the complex, multi-dimensional route to reducing the incidents of insecurity to the barest minimum.”
Buhari reiterated his calls on Nigerians to adhere strictly to the COVID-19 protocols, including regular hand-washing, wearing masks and social/physical distancing to mitigate the spread of the coronavirus in the country.
He urged Nigerians to take individual responsibility and resist the temptation of compliance-fatigue as they celebrate Christmas with family and friends by following the recommended protocols.
He said there was every indication that the country was already experiencing a second wave of COVID-19 infections.
“Staying alive to enjoy future festivals should be the watchword,” the president told Nigerians
In the spirit of the season, the president enjoined Nigerians to reinvest trust in his administration’s determination and unwavering commitment to restore peace, security and prosperity to the country.
Meanwhile, President Buhari has urged Nigerians to have faith in his administration, saying efforts are being intensified to tackle the insecurity challenges in the country.
The president made the appeal yesterday during the induction and commissioning ceremony of the newly acquired NAF MI-171E helicopter, two reactivated Alpha Jets and one L39ZA aircraft at the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) base in Kaduna.
He reiterated the promise of his administration to remain unyielding in confronting the Boko Haram insurgency as well as other forms of criminality that have bedevilled the country.
