President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday vowed to mobilize all national and human resources to tackle insecurity.
Buhari, speaking on the graduation of Course 27, at National Defence College, on Friday, in Abuja, said the Boko Haram group “constitutes clear and present danger to our corporate existence as a nation.”
He disclosed that his administration had spared no effort to rid the nation of terrorism and insurgency and associated national security and humanitarian challenges, and commended the Armed Forces and other security agencies for their patriotic efforts.
“I also thank all our development partners and foreign governments for their invaluable contributions.
“In spite of the commendable progress, the Nigerian state is still beset with some existential and fundamental challenges. The Boko Haram, for instance, having lost their insurgency campaign, now factionalised and mutated into a new form of terrorist threat.
“Our government is poised to promote national security and development. We remain committed to promoting a vision of a secure, safe, just, peaceful, prosperous and strong nation.
“Indeed, we shall be employing all elements of our national and human resources to ensure security, a just society, peaceful co-existence, national unity, prosperity and sustainable development, while promoting our good standing abroad.
He also said that banditry and vandalism, kidnapping, pastoralist/farmers conflicts, cultism and political violence have become the new threats.
“Other crimes such as the proliferation of Small Arms and Light Weapons, drug trafficking, drug and substance abuse and communal conflict, all add up to the security mix. Furthermore, the state of education, the youth bulge, unemployment, socio-political and ethnoreligious divisions, fake news and hate speeches all help to quicken and compound the security challenges.
The President also noted that War College and Defence College courses hold great promise for senior military officers, as they prepare participants for military strategic leadership focusing on national security, military strategy, theatre strategy, joint planning processes, inter-agency, inter-governmental and multi-national capabilities as well as integration.
The Courses are also used to groom participants to function at the highest levels of security to optimise national power in furtherance of national strategic interests and objectives.
The Centre for Strategic Research and Studies of the College, is also ECOWAS designated Centre of Excellence for strategic level Peace Support Operations training.
