Despite the rise in killings and kidnappings nationwide, President Muhammadu Buhari claims his administration is winning the war against insecurity in the country.
While secessionist agitators and violent herdsmen, who are largely from the president’s tribe of Fulani, in the South are having a field day by unleashing violence, their counterparts in the North often referred to as bandits are killing and abducting residents, including school children, for ransom.
“In the last four months, the gallant men and women of the military and security agencies have made tremendous progress in addressing these new security challenges,” Mr Buhari claimed a televised broadcast to commemorate the nation’s 61st independence anniversary Friday morning. “We are taking the fight to our enemies from all angles and we are winning.
“Earlier this year, I launched the Integrated National Security and Waterways Protection Infrastructure, the Deep Blue Project, which is designed to secure Nigerian waters up to the Gulf of Guinea. I am happy to inform Nigerians that we have taken delivery of key assets for this project and very soon, its impact will be felt.
“In the Northeast region alone, over eight thousand Boko Haram terrorists have surrendered,” he said.
The president also spoke on his efforts to recruit more personnel into the nation’s security forces.
“To support our surge approach to fighting banditry, the Nigerian Armed Forces have recruited over 17,000 personnel across all ranks. Furthermore, I have also approved for the Nigerian Police Force to recruit 10,000 police officers annually over the next six years.
“I am also pleased to note that most of the Air Force platforms we acquired over the past three years have started to arrive in Nigeria. These will positively impact our security operations in all parts of the country,” he added.
