Insecurity: Buhari Promises Support For Families Of Fallen Military, Security Personnel

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*Says He’s Committed To Ending Insurgency

President Muhammadu Buhari has said his administration would
ensure that resources are devoted to the care of the families and
loved ones of the officers and men of the Nigerian armed forces, as
well as operatives of other security agencies, who have died in the
course of fighting insecurity in the country.

The President who spoke on Thursday during a visit to personnel
of the Armed Forces and security agencies in Operation HADIN KAI,
at the Maimalari Cantonment, Maiduguri, Borno State, also expressed
the gratitude of the nation to the security agencies.

The President, who is on an official visit to Borno State,
however, charged the military and security agencies not to give
breathing space to terrorists and criminals in various parts of the
country, saying the war must be concluded with restoration of peace
and reconstruction of all the affected areas.

“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
defense 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.

“As 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 or resources
to ensure that the widows and children of our fallen heroes who
paid the supreme price in defense of our beloved country, are well
cared for,” he said.

According to a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on
Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu, the President said wounded
comrades will get the best medical attention towards their full
recovery.

“While acknowledging your collective efforts at decimating and
degrading the terrorists and reaffirming the inviolable sovereignty
of our nation, I also wish to extol your steadfastness and untiring
efforts in the face of the difficulties you experience in the
Theatres of Operation.

“Your collective efforts have resulted in the relative peace
being enjoyed in the region today. Under my 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 defense and security agencies should rest
assured of the Federal Government’s unalloyed commitment to winning
the battle against terror and criminality,” he added.

President Buhari commended the military and security agencies
for the synergy that translated into successes in restoring peace
and order.

“I am particularly happy to note the increasing understanding
and cooperation within the military, as well as the inter-agency
cooperation in the fight against the terrorists and other criminal
elements in the North East.

“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. I am therefore pleased to
acknowledge that the military and other security agencies including
civilian stakeholders are adhering to the true spirit of Operation
HADIN KAI, which implies “jointness, synergy and cooperation.”

“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,” the President said.

Side by side with the efforts of the Armed Forces and security
agencies, President Buhari assured that his administration is
developing a strategy for post-war reconstruction and peace
building.

“Concerted efforts are being made to fast-track reconstruction
and development programmes in the affected communities in the North
East.

“I am hopeful that this will lead to the speedy resettlement of
displaced persons, as well as the restoration of bubbling community
life as people return to their homes.

“Alongside investment in development and reconstruction, we will
sustain our investment in the Armed Forces in a manner that
balances the carrot and stick,” he said.

The President 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:

“Many have been injected into the Theatre and soon other
equipment that have just arrived in the country would also be
deployed to the Theatre of operations. Much more equipment will be
procured for the Armed Forces to cater for both the short and
long-term requirements.

“I would like, at this point, to also commend the hierarchy of
our Armed Forces for their strategic foresight in ensuring that
some of our critical military equipment are fabricated
locally.”

President Buhari also noted that repairs and maintenance of some
of the vital weapons were now being carried out in the country
thereby saving the nation a lot of foreign exchange and also
creating jobs for our teeming population.

“As personnel of our Armed Forces and security agencies, you
must understand that these items of equipment must be put to good
use against the terrorists and other criminal elements. There is no
room for complacency, and no need to be less than 100 per cent
alert at all times.

“As your Commander-in-Chief, I want to assure you that my
government will continue to work towards the provision of timely
funding and procurement of equipment for the Armed Forces and other
security agencies. This is intended to boost the prosecution of the
ongoing war to a logical conclusion and also to serve our
collective interests and well-being.

“In addition, your welfare is of utmost importance and concern
to this government. I am glad that the gradual rotation of the
troops in the field has commenced, as I directed. I am sure that
this will minimize and possibly eliminate battle fatigue, as well
as enhance troops’ morale,” he added.

The President thanked the military and security agencies for
unalloyed loyalty and selfless sacrifices towards the defence of
our country, adding: “Your courage and gallantry will continue to
inspire others, as they echo into the future.”

“While I commend your resilience, let me remind you that there
is still a lot of work to be done, to completely restore peace to
the North East, stem the activities of armed bandits in the North
West and North Central, as well as deal with other security
challenges across the country.

“You must therefore remain steadfast and see this war to a
conclusive end. In doing so, you must rely on inter-agency
cooperation, and strengthen your cohesion with the troops of
neighboring Republics of Cameroon, Chad and Niger in our collective
fight against the terrorists, under the auspices of the
Multinational Joint Task Force. This will consolidate our efforts
and facilitate the speedy return of peace and stability to the
region,” the President said.

He urged the military and security agencies to continue to make
Nigeria proud.

President Buhari also interacted with some of the wounded
soldiers assuring them that the government was fully committed to
their recovery and welfare.

In his remarks, the Commander of Theatre Operations HADIN KAI,
Maj Gen. Felix Omoigui, assured troops of the President’s
confidence and commitment to their welfare, especially in bringing
the war to a conclusive end.

The Commander thanked the President for the visit to the troops,
which he said will greatly boost the morale of all those fighting
to keep the country in peace.

Governors of Borno and Yobe State, Babagana Zulum and Mai Bunu
respectively, Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Leo Irabor, Chief of
Army Staff, Maj. Gen Farouk Yahaya, Chief of Naval Staff, Rear
Admiral Awwal Gambo, Chief of Staff, Air Vice Marshal Isiaka Amao
and National Security Adviser, Maj Gen. Babagana Monguno (rtd),
were also at the event.