President Muhammadu Buhari has informed Nigerians to expect a significant improvement in security in the country this year.
Speaking at the Armed Forces Remembrance Day on Thursday in Abuja, the Nigerian leader said the fight against insecurity will improve and Nigeria will be better for it.
He also advised the nation’s service chiefs to ensure synergy and cooperation in the fight against insecurity,and ensure a more sustained focus on intelligence gathering and interpretation.
The Presiddent, however, said the welfare of the armed forces will continue to be the priority of his administration.
He said: “As we commemorate #ArmedForcesRemembranceDay, let me pay tribute to the bravery and sacrifice of all the men and women of our armed forces who have paid the supreme price for our unity, peace and security. We also salute our troops currently engaged in internal security operations,” Buhari wrote.
“The welfare and wellbeing of our troops will continue to be a priority. We are investing heavily not only in weapons and equipment for their use, but also in provision of housing, medical care and other areas of welfare. And we will continue to make resources available.
“I am reiterating my directives to the Service Chiefs regarding greater synergy and cooperation, and also a more sustained focus on intelligence gathering and interpretation. I am confident that we will see significant improvement in our security situation this year.
“May the souls of all our departed heroes continue to rest in peace. We will continue to strive to ensure that their sacrifices on our behalf will never be in vain.”
Meanwhile, Presidential Spokesman, Femi Adesina, says it is only God Almighty that can give Nigeria victory over the increase in insecurity.
In an article on Friday titled, ‘The Decent for the Indecent, the Just for the Unjust’, Adesina said some Nigerians have failed to realize that even the Nigerian military cannot solve all the security problems in the country.
He said rather than understand the fact that only God can give victory, some Nigerians are always complaining and criticising the Muhammadu Buhari-administration.
Adesina, however, asked Nigerians to use this year’s Armed Forces Remembrance Day as an opportunity to pray for the military to succeed and defeat the insurgency.
He wrote, “But victory is from God alone. That is what we must realise as Nigerians. Do we ever pray for our troops in the frontlines? Do we remember those youths, our pride, and strength, faced by death daily, as we sleep in the comfort of our homes, ensconced in the tender bosom of our wives?
“As we pray; God give me money. Give me a car. Give me a promotion. Kill my enemies. Do it now. Do we ever remember our soldiers? Ere you left your room this morning, did you think to pray…did you pray for our soldiers? Victory comes from God alone. If you don’t pray, you may be guilty of prolonging the war in North-East, North-west, North-central, and all over Nigeria.”
He added: “Yes, victory is from God alone. But do some people know? Does it ever enter into their consciousness? They only wail: ‘this insurgency war has lasted too long. The banditry has demystified our military. They are cowards. The top guns don’t even want the battle to end.
“They are making money in billions.’ Okay. Making money in billions and wasting our soldiers, our youths, our future and hope, in their hundreds and thousands because of blood money. That is all some people see; permanent cynics and skeptics, who know nothing of altruism, and whose God is their belly. They think only of pecuniary gain, nothing else.”
