President Muhammadu Buhari says Nigeria’s security apparatus would be reorganised, so as to enhance their competence and the successes recorded in the fight against terrorism.
The Nigerian leader made the pledge in a nationwide new year broadcast to citizens of the country. He used the opportunity to commend the Armed Forces and other security agencies for working tirelessly to protect the nation’s territorial integrity.
He said: “In line with the current security challenges, we are facing as a Nation, I would like to reiterate the promise I made recently when over 300 of our boys abducted from Government Science Secondary School, Kankara were successfully rescued by our security operatives.
“Re-energizing and reorganizing the security apparatus and personnel of the armed forces and the police with a view to enhancing their capacity to engage, push back and dismantle the operations of both internal and external extremist and criminal groups waging war against our communities in some parts of the country.
“The professionalism showed by our Security Forces and the collaboration from all stakeholders across both State and Federal Governments that led to the successful rescue of the boys is proof that Nigeria has the internal capacity to decisively deal with terror attacks on our citizens.”
President Buhari said the government would rapidly move to a more proactive and preemptive posture to ensure that the traumatic incidents that occurred in the past do not become the norm.
“Our administration is fully aware of the responsibility we have to protect the lives and property of all Nigerians, and we will not relent in learning and adapting to changing threats to our national security and civic wellbeing,” he said.
On the economy, President Buhari said the government will sustain its recovery and growth program, as it diversifies into other sources of revenue, instead of depending on oil alone.
He said: “Our focus is on revamping the economy through the national economic diversification agenda that supports the primary goal of national food self-sufficiency. This has helped reduce the growing food-related inflationary figures and have in considerable measure positively impacted our food security status during the long months of the pandemic lockdown.”
