We Made Remarkable Progress In The Fight Against Insecurity, Says President Buhari
President Muhammadu Buhari has asserted that his administration has made remarkable progress in improving the country’s security architecture, resulting in the crackdown on criminal elements unleashing mayhem across the country.
President Buhari made this assertion during the official unveiling of the national and regimental colours of the new and operationalised units of the Nigerian Army at Eagle Square in Abuja on Thursday.
“At the inception of this administration, the nation’s security situation was greatly challenged by the activities of violent non-state actors. Today, I am pleased to specially note that the situation has tremendously improved and I wish to also proudly highlight that we have made remarkable progress in the fight against insurgents, militants, oil bunkers, kidnappers, and other criminal elements in the country.
“This administration has achieved a remarkable transformation of the military in the areas of fighting power, training, operations, manpower, remunerations, and medical services. These are in addition to maintenance efficiency, accommodation, and expansion of forces. The improvements in these areas have collectively enhanced the Army’s capacity to effectively carry out its constitutional mandate,’’ he said.
According to the President, the fighting power of our military was at a low ebb as of May 2015, but its fighting power has increased significantly in the past seven years making it fourth in ranking among African militaries as against seventh in 2015.
He further noted that the interventions and yearly budgetary allocations to the Army, between 2020 and 2022 alone, had been able to procure hundreds of Mine Resistant Ambush Protected Vehicles, Troops Carrying Vehicles, utility vehicles, tanks, and Armoured Personnel Carriers to augment those earlier procured.
“From 2017 to 2022, significant numbers of new fighting and utility vehicles along with supporting artillery guns, machine guns, rifles, and corresponding ammunition were acquired and inducted into various theatres of operations. This translates to a significant increment in the Army’s equipment holding since 2015.
“With the significant improvement in the fighting power as a result of the procurement of equipment and mission-specific training, the Army was empowered to rejig its operations. Accordingly, the Army has restructured the conduct of its operations to meet current realities.
“The quantum of platforms inducted into the Army since 2015 had enabled troops to take the battle to the terrorists and criminals, particularly in the Northeast resulting in the recapture of territories hitherto held by the insurgents.”
Meanwhile, the President commended the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen Lucky Irabor, and all the other Service Chiefs and heads of all paramilitary organizations for their commitment and selfless service to this nation.
