We’ve checkmated separatist agitations, B/Haram, banditry – Buhari

President Muhammadu Buhari says separatist agitations in the South East and South West are being checkmated.

He also said terrorism in the North East as well as banditry and kidnapping in the North West and North Central had been curbed.

He spoke in Abuja Tuesday when he commissioned the new National Counter-Terrorism Centre (NCTC) and the Office of the National Security Adviser.

 “On separatist agitations, the agitators in the South East, and to a much lesser extent the South West, who have been experiencing concerns of separatist tendencies, are being checkmated.

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“I can confidently state here today that we have achieved significant milestones in degrading the major threat and restoring normalcy to most of the hitherto securitized areas in the North East.

“These areas previously occupied by terrorists have been freed and Internally Displaced Persons are voluntarily returning to their homes.

“This was largely achieved through the valiant efforts of our Armed Forces and other security agencies, in collaboration with our regional and international partners but above all, the support and cooperation of the Nigerian citizens.”

He reiterated that the criminal acts that had emerged were as a result of the scattering of Boko Haram in the North East and the implosion of Libya in the Maghreb.

He added, “Meanwhile, issues of crude oil theft, sea robbery, piracy and militancy in the South-South are equally being addressed.

“Most of these threats have transnational linkages thereby reinforcing the need for regional and international cooperation as critical enablers to enhance our national security.”

NSA Babagana Monguno said the changing nature of the security landscape over the last three decades in the country and across the world had necessitated the broadening of ONSA’s mandate to accommodate the needs of emerging security threats.