President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday vowed to keep his promise of protecting Nigerians and securing its territory against the menace of Boko Haram terrorism and other violent extremists in the country. The President made this vow when he launched the revised National Counter Terrorism Strategy (NACTEST) developed by the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) in Abuja. The President who was represented by the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo decried the activities of Boko Haram militants describing it as “Mindless killing of children and innocent.”
President Buhari said:
“The government is determined to ensure that the safety of every single Nigerian is a priority this is why I have repeatedly ordered our law enforcement agents to ensure that perpetrators of violent acts are arrested and made to face the law. The activities of armed herdsmen and host farmers, kidnapper, criminal militants threaten our peace and security and the sanctity of our nation.
“We will not allow anyone, under any guise, whether it is politics, culture or religion to violate life or property of another citizen. This is the oath to which I swore and I will uphold it at all cost.”
The President said terrorism is not static and Nigeria’s response must therefore be dynamic and versatile. He described the review of the National Counter Terrorism strategy as fit for purpose and adequately responds to the current and imminent and future challenges.
In a very sober mood, the President went down memory lane to describe how he joined the Nigerian Army and how the creed of brotherhood propelled the early officers into sacrificing for the security of Nigeria.
“I joined the army early in life and I spent all my professional life in the armed forces of Nigeria, I and so many others were trained to accept, believe and prepared to die for the security and safety of the country and to protect the territorial integrity of Nigeria.
“And indeed many of my colleagues gave their lives defending this nation and its great people, we came from every nook and cranny of Nigeria, there were Muslims, Christians and atheists in our number. It doesn’t matter where you were from or how you worship, we were just Nigerian soldiers committed to ourselves and to our nation. We were completely convinced by the word s of our old national anthem that though tribe and tongue may differ in brotherhood we stand.”
The President said the reckless campaign of Boko Haram insurgents in the last few years was meant to terrorize and produce maximum fear which unfortunately was strengthened by the “disgraceful greed of some in government and in high office in the armed forces at the time.” In justifying the review of the NACTEST, the president said even though the capacity of Boko Haram has been fatally depleted, their activities lingers through several channels by which they continue to recruit young and impressionable people.
“This is why a robust and dynamic counter terrorism strategy is crucial in the fight against terror and must be constantly reviewed to be relevant to contemporary challenges.
“Today we are gathered to launch the revised counter terrorism strategy, that it is a revised strategy underscores the fact that we recognize that terrorism is not static and our response must be dynamic and versatile, this strategy is fit for purpose and adequately responds to the current and imminent and future challenges.
“There must be the understanding that the war against terrorism is a most unconventional one, the enemy is essentially an insane nuisance, does not obey any rule of warfare, kills the defend less including prisoners, use children as human shield and considered the killing of anyone as victory.”
He advocated a new strategy which is aimed at winning the “battle of the mind”. “As we think through our strategy, we must not only win the physical battle, we must win the battle of the mind, even as the most impressionable among them will sign up to join Boko Haram and other extremist groups.
“We must understand that terrorist is essentially a psychological warfare and as such a psychological and sophisticated response is necessary. Through the leadership of our faith we must educate them and they must know neither Islam nor any other religion endorses the slaughter of any and the shout of God is great even when they do not know the meaning of these words.”
On the plight of the Internally Displaced People (IDPs) in the Northeast, the President announced that a new Inter-Ministerial committee which will be headed by the Vice President will review the situation in a bid to find a solution.
While commending the ONSA , the President urged the MDAs to adhere to their respective roles as stipulated in the strategy.