Against the backdrop of concerns being expressed over the alleged capturing of territories in the North East by the Boko Haram terrorists group and the hoisting of their flags in many ‘conquered’ communities, President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday vowed that the country will not compromise its sovereignty forgo any inch of its land in the face of current security challenges.
Speaking at the graduation ceremony of Course 22 Participants of the National Defence College (NDC) in Abuja, the President said government had taken a deep look into the fledging position and environment of terrorism in Nigeria and its extremely destructive and social economic impact, and consequently, government had initiated a number of programmes and dedicated platforms to alleviate the suffering of the people towards recovery.
Represented by Defence Minister, Lt. General Aliyu Gusau, he said, “We have made some gains against the adversary. We face an unspeakable evil and we must confront it with all our national endowment. And as a government, we will not compromise our sovereignty and the territorial integrity of Nigeria”.
Continuing he said, “We will not allow the authority of Nigerian state to be challenged. Education is a human right which is invaluable transformational value and is the bases of our development progress. We shall not give up that right for some faceless, misguided, self-styled terrorists, using it as a means of terror.`
Emphasizing that the government was involving a broad based national security strategy anchored on the holistic well being of the Nigerian people, President Jonathan said, “We will actively promote and hold on to societal goal and security that optimize our collective national strength”.
While calling all Nigerians across partisan, ethnic, religious and cultural device to close rank with government to put a stop to this evil as there is no challenge that can divide the collective will of the Nigerian, he said, “May I also use this opportunity to assure all Nigerians that we are committed to bringing back the Chibok girls back alive”.
Regarding Intelligence gathering, he said, “The role of the Armed Forces intelligence and security agencies in the expanded security approach are crucial and urged them to take proactive measures. As a go9vernment, we are committed to improve institutional capacity, platform and equipment, human and resources endowment of our security agencies to meet these challenges”.
“Let me use this opportunity to salute the gallantry of men and women of the armed forces, the police, intelligence and the security agencies and emergency services for their loyal and patriotic service to the nation, My heart goes to all the service men that had paid the supreme sacrifice, so that other Nigerians may continue to live in peace and security”.
“I wish to convey my personal sympathy to Nigerians, who had in one way or the other suffered human and material loss on account of terrorism, Let me use this opportunity to congratulate the commandant, members of faculty for successfully for successfully conducting and concluding the NDC Course 22.
Recall that Boko Haram terrorists during the week launched attacks on Gwoza and other communities in Borno and later hoisted their flags. How ever, special forces on the Nigerian military on Wednesday and Thursday launched a counter attack and successfully flushed the terrorists out of the communities.
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