President Muhammadu Buhari has said that government had recognised that some of the security challenges confronting Nigeria were imported by foreign elements.
Buhari, who was represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, stated this at the Graduation of Course 30 of the National Defence College (NDC) on Friday, August 5, in Abuja.
He said that the nation and indeed the African region had been facing difficult times such as terrorism in the North East, banditry and other criminal activities across the country.
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Buhari added that the military and other security agencies have been given directives to decisively deal with all forms of security challenges and secure the nation.
According to him, the military has continued to counter the terrorism that was very prevalent in the North East which has resulted in the surrendering of thousands of persons who are being managed by government agencies.
Government is also deeply concerned about the activities of bandits and criminals who have rare their ugly heads in some parts of the country.
This is because the number of violent unprovoked attacks on citizens appear to be on the increase. This is unacceptable.
Accordingly, we have given strong directive to the military and other security agencies to deal decisively with terrorists, bandits and other enemies of the country.
We have also adopted bilateral and multilateral arrangements to tackle the trans border and maritime crimes because we recognize that some of our security challenges are imported into Nigeria by foreign elements.
I want to assure all Nigerian that the government is doing all it can to eliminate or apprehend the criminals or bandits, wherever they are.
Praise For Armed Forces
Buhari commended the nation’s apex defence institution for its continuous effort towards raising a discipline and professional strategic leaders for the armed forces, security agencies as well as Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs).
He said the college had since its establishment 30 years ago, continued to fulfil its mandate and had grown to be at par with similar colleges across the world
Buhari charged the participant to deploy the knowledge they had acquired in making useful suggestions toward addressing the challenges in their areas of responsibility.
The president assured that the government would remain committed providing needed resources for the security agencies to carry out their assigned tasks.
The Commandant of NDC, Rear Adm. Murtala Bashir, said the college had 102 participants drawn from the military, paramilitary, security and intelligence agencies as well as selected MDAs and participants from 16 allied countries.
Bashir said the participants comprised of 28 from Nigerian Army; 20 from Nigerian Navy; five from Nigerian Air Force; 29 from strategic institutions/MDAs and 20 international participants.
He said the college had trained the finest from the military, security agencies and MDAs both from within and outside the country since inception in 1992, adding that some had distinguished themselves in their careers.
According to him, the mission of NDC is to develop future strategic leaders who are sufficiently equipped with knowledge and skills.
