Despite recent attacks by the Boko Haram sect, President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday said Nigeria is progressively winning the war against insurgents.
He said this in his address as the Special Guest of Honor at the graduation of 174 military officers of senior course 37 of the Armed Forces Command and Staff College (AFCSC), Jaji.
The President pointed out the importance of harnessing the strengths of multiple security actors as demonstrated in the fight against terrorism.
Represented by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, Buhari expressed confidence in the quality of training received by officers in the institution, which according to him has adequately prepared the military to confront current threats to national and global security.
He, however, cautioned the officers to be mindful of the “distracting and diversionary” nature of today’s highly sensitive media environment.
“Some of you will be deployed in crisis-prone areas, for either internal security or peace support operations outside your country, giving that we live in a common global environment, you must be conscious of your actions,” he warned the graduands.
On the global scene, Buhari said Nigeria remains firmly committed to the maintenance of international peace and security, adding that the country will continue to collaborate with other governments to promote peace, stability and development on the African continent and around the world.
He therefore charged the military to leave up to expectations at all time and to uphold the nation’s enduring legacy in global peacekeeping operations.
“As members of the armed forces, you have a principal role to play in protecting the lives and property of our citizens.
“While maintaining internal peace and security remains primarily the responsibility of the civil police, the scale of the current security challenges facing our nation requires the military to play a more decisive role in support of civil power.
“Always remember that ethnicity and religious intolerance are the greatest threats to our collective security as people and as a nation. I urge you all to guard against these negative sentiments in the discharge of your noble duties,” the President counseled. -The Nation.
