PRESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari has said that some of the security challenges confronting the country are imported by foreign elements.
Buhari, who was represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Boss Mustapha, stated this yesterday at the Graduation of Course 30 of the National Defence College (NDC) in Abuja.
He said that the nation and indeed the African region had been facing difficulties such as terrorism in the northeast, banditry and other criminal activities across the country.
He added that the military and other security agencies have been given directives to deal decisively with all forms of security challenges and secure the nation.
According to him, the military’s onslaught against terrorism in the northeast has resulted in the surrender of thousands of persons who are currently being managed by government agencies.
”Government is also deeply concerned about the activities of bandits and criminals who rear their ugly heads in some parts of the country.
”This is because the number of violent unprovoked attacks on citizens appears to be on the increase. This is unacceptable.
”Accordingly, we have given a strong directive to the military and other security agencies to deal decisively with terrorists, bandits, and other enemies of the country.
”We have also adopted bilateral and multilateral arrangements to tackle the trans-border and maritime crimes because we recognize that some of our security challenges are imported into Nigeria by foreign elements.
”I want to assure all Nigerians that the government is doing all it can to eliminate or apprehend the criminals or bandits, wherever they are,” he said.
Buhari commended the nation’s apex defence institution for its continuous effort to raise disciplined, professional, and strategic leaders for the armed forces, and security agencies as well as Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs).
He said the college had since its establishment 30 years ago, continued to fulfil its mandate and had grown to be at par with similar colleges across the world
He charged the participant to deploy the knowledge they had acquired in making useful suggestions toward addressing the challenges in their areas of responsibility
