President Muhammadu Buhari has asked the military and other security agencies not to give breathing space to terrorists and criminals operating in various parts of the country.
Speaking when he visited personnel of the Armed Forces and security agencies of Operation Hadin Kai at the Maimalari Cantonment, Maiduguri, Borno, on Thursday, Buhari said the war must be concluded with restoration of peace and reconstruction of all the affected areas.
Buhari commended the military men and women and security agencies currently tackling security challenges in the country, particularly those who paid the supreme price.
“I am delighted to be with you this afternoon to address you on this special occasion of my official visit to Borno State.
“I want to seize this opportunity to put it on record that our nation will forever be indebted to you for your patriotic commitment to the defence of our fatherland against insurgency and criminality.
“I therefore, commend you and remember all the personnel who have paid the supreme sacrifice in ensuring that Nigeria remains an indivisible and secure entity.
“I send my heartfelt condolences to the families of our fallen heroes and pray for the souls of the departed.
“I want to assure you that my administration will spare no effort to ensure that the widows and children of our fallen heroes are well cared for,” Buhari said.
He also extolled the steadfastness and untiring efforts of the troops in the face of the difficulties they experienced in the Theatres of Operation, nothing that, their collective efforts have resulted in the relative peace being enjoyed in the region today.
The President said, under his watch, the Armed Forces of Nigeria have been provided a firm strategy and clear sense of direction to safeguard the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the country.
“We should not allow our adversaries the opportunity or breathing space to challenge or undermine our national interests and core values.
“The defence and security agencies should be rest assured of the Federal Government’s unalloyed commitment to winning the battle against terror and criminality,” he said.
He commended the military and the security agencies for the synergy that had translated into successes in restoring peace and order, noting that, “the outcome of this synergy is evidenced by the successes recorded in the ongoing Operation TURA TAKAIBANGO which has so far degraded the insurgents’ capabilities in the Timbuktu Triangle, Sambisa Forest and the Lake Chad Region.
“By pooling together the collective resources and comparative advantages of the Armed Forces and other security agencies, we hope the enemy will now feel the ferocity of our firepower and the weight of our resolve,’’ he said.
Buhari said several interventions by the Federal Government had led to the procurement and delivery of large consignments of critical combat enablers, including high calibre weapons and ammunition.
He assured that additional equipment would be procured for the armed forces to cater for both the short and long-term requirements of the security agencies.
