President Muhammadu Buhari has urged military officers in the country to wipe out terrorists “off the face of the earth”.
Buhari said his administration would continue to provide the needed support required to wipe out the insurgents.
The President said this while speaking at the graduation ceremony of 247 students of the Senior Course 44 of the Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Jaji, Kaduna State on Thursday.
“The Armed Forces of Nigeria are working tirelessly to enhance their combat effectiveness, operational capability and training necessary to eliminate the threats, in synergy with other institutions and nations.
“The response of the Armed Forces of Nigeria to the Boko Haram insurgency, banditry, militancy, kidnapping as well as the activities of separatists and armed militias amongst others have been commendable.
“This government will continue to provide the required guidance and support to ensure that the desired results are achieved,” Buhari was quoted as saying in a statement issued by his spokesman, Garba Shehu, on Thursday.
The President noted that most of the security challenges facing the world today were both asymmetric and trans-border in nature, involving mainly non-state actors in different regions and sub-regions of the world.
He added that the West African sub-region and indeed our beloved continent of Africa are not immune to these threats.
“We have witnessed recent terrorist attacks in Nigeria bearing the hallmark of national and trans-border insurgents trying to cause havoc in Nigeria as well as in neighbouring countries.
“It will be part of your duty to confront these terrorists and insurgents and wipe them off the face of the earth and bring peace to our countries,” Buhari told the graduating students.
President Buhari further described the specifics of their training which focused primarily on countering security threats as very important, adding that “combating these prevalent security threats effectively demands that African countries continue to work together at all levels; be it tactical, operational and strategic.”
Appraising the ongoing collaboration of the Armed Forces of Nigeria, Cameroon, Niger Republic, Benin Republic, and Chad in a multinational operation to combat the Boko Haram insurgency in the Lake Chad region, Buhari said it has been productive, commendable and successful.
He said: “The synergy achieved in operating together must have been enhanced by an understanding of the doctrines of the cooperating forces.
“This occasion provides me another opportunity to briefly reflect on the state of the Nigerian nation, particularly regarding national security. The last 12 years have been very challenging for our nation, considering the different security threats that have besieged the country.
“Our government is poised to promote national security and development, as well as to remain committed to promoting a vision of a secure, safe, just, peaceful, prosperous and strong Nigeria.
“We shall be employing all elements of our national power in ensuring security, a just society, peaceful coexistence, national unity and sustainable development while promoting our good standing internationally.”
President Buhari expressed delight that amongst the graduating students were international officers from other African countries, saying he was confident they enjoyed the friendliness of the country during their stay.
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Describing Nigeria as one of the most hospitable and enjoyable countries to visit and stay, despite her diversity and challenges, the President enjoined the Course 44 fellows to keep fond memories of the over 40-year college, which prepares officers for tactical and operational level leadership, focusing on national security, joint planning processes, inter-agency cooperation and operations as well as multinational integration.
He further told the graduating students that their participation in the Course was a further testimony of national security aspirations to promote international peace, friendship and cooperation.
“To the graduating students from Nigeria’s Ministries, Departments and Agencies, you have indeed justified the confidence reposed in you by your respective organizations. Congratulations!
“We must specially commend the spouses of the graduands here for keeping the home front and without whose sacrifices there would have been no celebrations for many here today,” he said.
President Buhari equally commended the Commandant and his team for transforming the graduating students into highly refined products and for the ongoing work to expand and upgrade the facilities of the College, adding that the development was to provide a conducive and amenable environment that fit for purpose.
In his address of welcome, the Commandant of the College, Air Vice Marshall (AVM), Olurotimi Tuwase, stated that 111 army officers, 69 naval officers, 42 air force officers, 10 students from paramilitary organisations and Ministries, Department and Agencies as well as 15 international students completed the 48 weeks intensive training, leading to the award of Pass Staff Course (PSC).
Tuwase added that the international students on the Senior Course 44 were from Burkina Faso, Cameroun, Chad, The Gambia, Ghana, Liberia, Mali, Niger, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, Tanzania, Togo and Zambia.
The Commandant, therefore, thanked President Buhari for his support to the College, noting that students have been sufficiently trained and equipped to cope with most challenges in their career, with the staff and leadership skills acquired in the College.
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