The Nigerian government has commended the country’s security and intelligence agencies for their sacrifices in keeping the country safe.
The Information and Culture Minister, Lai Mohammed gave the commendation in Abuja Nigeria’s capital during the President Muhammadu Buhari scorecard series which was hosted by the Minister of Defence on Monday, 13th February 2023.
It would be recalled that the President Mohammadu Buhari administration when it came into power in 2015 highlighted Defence and security as a cardinal area and a priority, it, therefore, became imperative for this critical sector under the administration to inform Nigerians how it fared in the two tenures.
The Minister recalled the effort of the Nigerian security architecture in handling the panic created by a travel advisory by some western nations’ embassies in Abuja about three months ago.
“Let me use this occasion to commend our security agencies for their sacrifices to keep us safe. Recall ladies and gentlemen that in October 2022 United States and United Kingdom embassies in Nigeria issued travel advisories, warning their citizens to avoid Abuja due to the risk of terrorist attacks, this created much panic in the country, as a matter of fact, a number of Americans were reported to have fled Abuja in the wake of the warning. In our reaction, we assure Nigerian and no Nigerians of their safety nothing that our security agencies were on top of the matter
“It is in this light we want to commend our gallant troops, security agencies, the police, intelligence agencies and all other security agencies for their sacrifices to keep Nigeria safe as we call on all citizens to support our armed forces in carrying out their mandate.”
The Minister further stated that the country’s security and intelligence community have the capacity, experience and all it takes to handle all situations and concerns as they are always on top of the situation.
Ministry of Defence
The elaborate briefing by the Minister of Defence, Major General Bashir Magashi covered a wide range of areas of Defence and intelligence where the armed forces have done exploits, ranging from strides recorded in various theatres of operations including the war against insurgency in the North East, banditry and kidnapping in the North West, piracy and oil bunkering in the west and south among other operational measures by the services to curb criminal elements.
General Magashi also said the injection and introduction of innovative ideas in the armed forces through the years under the Buhari administration with enhanced capacity of the Armed Forces, transformational leadership styles in both kinetic and non-kinetic operations, continuous acquisition of platforms, recruitment, Degrading of insurgents and other armed criminals across operational theatres, have been visible in the improved security the country has witnessed.
“At the inception of this administration, the nation was at an all-time low in terms of overall security throughout all regions. For instance, while Boko Haram’s insurgency was particularly severe in the North East, the North West was primarily plagued by armed banditry, kidnapping, and inter-communal violence. Additionally, pipeline vandalism and crude oil theft were problems in the Niger Delta region
“However, through visionary and competent leadership of the administration, the Ministry of Defence and the Armed Forces were able to, among other things. weaken the insurgency, strengthen internal security and curtail crude oil theft,“ Stated General Magashi
The Defence Minister also said in line with the national Defence Policy, the ministry introduced saveral programs and policies towards enhancing operational capacities and capabilities of the Armed Forces among them are the Revised National Defence Policy, Reforms of the Ministry of Defence, establishment of a military-industrial complex, the establishment of the Defence industries cooperation of Nigeria amongst others.
General Magashi attributed these numerous feats to the visionary leadership of the Buhari administration which according to him has changed the course of the challenges.
The Chief of Defence Staff General Lucky Irabor while re-echoing the monsters stated that while there is no Nigerian territory under the control of criminals, operations are still going in some parts of the country and the military is at the final stage of clearing the remnants of the criminals.
“The report we have currently should validate the position which the minister has given with respect to the fact that there is no territory under of this country let alone let alone in the North East that is under control of any of the criminal elements, but that does not imply that they are not still making attempts to see that their last vastitudes remain which of course the armed force are holding onto to ensure it does not exist.“
Present at the event were the Permanent Secretary Ministry of Defence, Ibrahim Kana, all the Service Chiefs, Intelligence Agencies Chiefs and other security agencies, government functionaries, media executives, and members of the public.
PIAK
