President Muhammadu Buhari has saluted the gallant men and women of the military and other security agencies for recording “tremendous progress’’ in the ongoing battles against insurgents and bandits across the country.
The president stated this in a nationwide broadcast to mark Nigeria’s 61st Independence Anniversary, on Friday in Abuja.
He attributed the successes being recorded by the security agencies to the acquisition of sophisticated weapons by the government.
The president said already, thousands of Boko Haram insurgents in the North East zone had surrendered.
“In the last four months, the gallant men and women of the military and security agencies have made tremendous progress in addressing these new security challenges.
“We are taking the fight to our enemies from all angles and we are winning.
“Earlier this year, I launched the Integrated National Security and Waterways Protection Infrastructure, the Deep Blue Project, which is designed to secure Nigerian waters up to the Gulf of Guinea.
“I am happy to inform Nigerians that we have taken delivery of key assets for this project and very soon, its impact will be felt.
“In the North East region alone, over eight thousand Boko Haram terrorists have surrendered,’’.
The president revealed that the Nigerian Armed Forces had recruited over 17,000 personnel across all ranks to support the fight against bandits and insurgents.
He said that approval was also given to the Nigeria Police Force to recruit 10,000 personnel annually over the next six years.
“I am also pleased to note that most of the Air Force platforms we acquired over the past three years have started to arrive in Nigeria.
“These will positively impact our security operations in all parts of the country,’’ he said.
Buhari also said his administration was ready to arrest and prosecute all persons inciting violence through words or actions.
He said his government’s resolve for a peaceful, united and one Nigeria remained resolute and unwavering.
The president advised all citizens to always avoid violence while trying to settle grievances or socio-political misunderstandings, saying grievances could be settled peacefully.
“In line with Section 14(2)(b) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), the security and welfare of Nigerians continue to be the prime focus on which programmes and projects of our government revolves.
“Therefore, as a government we are ready to arrest and prosecute all persons inciting violence through words or action. Our resolve for a peaceful, united and one Nigeria remains resolute and unwavering.
“That said, our hope is not to fight for peace. We can always settle our grievances peacefully without spilling any blood.
“I will, therefore, take this opportunity, on this special day that symbolises the unity and oneness of our great nation to ask all Nigerians to embrace peace and dialogue, whatever your grievances.
“The seeds of violence are planted in people’s heads through words. Reckless utterances of a few have led to loss of many innocent lives and destruction of properties.
“Such unfiltered and unsubstantiated lies and hate speeches by a few evil persons must be stopped,’’ he maintained.
Buhari also enjoined media houses and commentators to always move away from merely reporting irresponsible remarks to investigating the truth behind all statements and presenting the facts to readers.
“We must all come out and speak against the lies being peddled.
“At this point, I would want to sincerely appreciate the large number of our traditional, religious and community leaders, as well as other well meaning Nigerians who, in their various fora, are openly spreading the message of peaceful co-existence and conflict settlement through dialogue in their respective communities.
“Nigeria is for all of us. Its unity is not negotiable. And its ultimate success can only be achieved if we all come together with a common goal of having peace and prosperity for our nation,’’ he said.
He reiterated the determination of the Federal Government to continue to work on dialogue based solutions to address legitimate grievances.
