President
Muhammadu Buhari, Monday, gave strong assurances that security will be restored
to Borno State, the Northeast and the nation at large, following the recent
adoption of new strategies, and the acquisition of modern military equipment.
Buhari
gave the assurance while speaking at the State House in Abuja during a meeting
with the five governors from northeast, attended by Vice President Yemi
Osinbajo, the Chief of Defence Staff, Service Chiefs, the Inspector-General of
Police and the heads of intelligence agencies.
“Things
will improve very soon. We are acquiring modern equipment; some are here, some
are being cleared, and others still coming. We need patience with acquisition
of equipment. You need to train the trainers for their usage ahead of their
deployment to the field.
“I
have listened to your presentation,” he told the Governors, who spoke through
their Chairman and Governor of Borno State, Prof. Babagana Zulum, adding, “I
assure you, the Northeast Governors, especially that of Borno, that we go to
bed and wake up thinking about you, how to secure our country, that is the
responsibility of every government.
“Our
party campaigned in 2015 on three major objectives, among which is Security. We
said the same thing in 2019 and Nigerians believed us. We are doing our best
and we will continue to do even better.”
The
President lamented the impact on the COVID-19 pandemic on the economy, making
scarce resources even scarcer, coupled with its severe impact on the supply
chain of military equipment and spare parts.
“Our
government is doing its best on the question of equipment and the military
know. We have equipment coming from some countries. The acquisition of military
wares and spares is not easy, especially if you are not the manufacturer,” he
emphasized.
The
Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, the Chief of Staff, the
National Security Adviser and all the Service Chiefs who spoke in support of
the President, assured that things will get better soon.
They
made a strong case for strengthening ties among the military, state
governments, traditional institutions and all communities and the residents of
the region.
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The
Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Tukur Buratai gave an assessment of the
current efforts, stressing that Boko Haram terrorists have been flushed out of
all the States in the region, leaving Borno State as the last stop.
According
to him, “There are no Boko Haram terrorists in neighbouring states. They have
been pushed out, and now cornered in Borno State. We are coordinating with
civil and traditional authorities, mobilising and reinforcing and all we need
is patience. We will not relent.”
On
his part, the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, briefed the
meeting on the acquisition of military aircraft, stressing that the imminent
arrival of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles, UAVs, known as drones with more than 10
hours of flying time, would strongly reinforce the battlefront.
Briefs
were also received on equipment needs of the Police as well as the changing
alliances between criminal gangs and terrorist groups in the region from the
Intelligence Community.
In
their address at the beginning of the meeting, the Northeast Governors noted
that the security situation in the region has now greatly improved, compared to
the time the President assumed office.
While
commending President Buhari for the establishment of the Northeast Development
Commission and the take-off of Mambila Dam Power Project, they however, called
for attention to the condition of most of their roads.
They
also warned of the consequences of a “War Economy” and the need to address the
root causes of the insurgency.
According
to the Governors, “A large population in the region, especially in Borno State,
have no access to their homes and farmlands,” while calling for efforts to
curtail the “increasing trust deficit between the population and the armed
forces.”
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