President Muhammadu Buhari has declared that his administration made remarkable progress in the fight against insurgents, militants, oil bunkers, kidnappers, and other criminals in the country.

Buhari stressed that the robust plan to improve the security architecture of the country had been realised, with the upgrading of hardware, building of facilities, training, and equipping of staff and officers, and structuring of a welfare system that caters for more than 50,000 children of fallen heroes.

The President said he instituted the recruitment of 60,000 soldiers into the Armed Forces, adding that thousands graduated from the Nigerian Defense Academy (NDA) and other security institutions to tighten security.

He said this while speaking at the Nigerian Army Trooping and Presentation of Colours Parade, which was attended by former Head of State, Gen. Yakubu Gowon, and ex-President Goodluck Jonathan in Abuja on Thursday, April 27.

“At the inception of this administration, the nation’s security situation was greatly challenged by the activities of violent non-state actors.

“Today, I am pleased to specially note that the situation has tremendously improved and I wish to also proudly highlight that we have made remarkable progress in the fight against insurgents, militants, oil bunkers, kidnappers, and other criminal elements in the country.

“This administration has achieved a remarkable transformation of the military in the areas of fighting power, training, operations, manpower, remunerations, and medical services. These are in addition to maintenance efficiency, accommodation, and expansion of forces. The improvements in these areas have collectively enhanced the Army’s capacity to effectively carry out its constitutional mandate,” President Buhari, who presented 81 new symbolic flags to the various units of the Nigerian Army, said.

He noted that the fighting power of the military was at a low ebb as of May 2015, adding: “However, seven years later, its fighting power has increased significantly making it fourth in ranking among African militaries as against seventh in 2015.”

President Buhari said interventions and yearly budgetary allocations to the army, between 2020 and 2022 alone, had been able to procure hundreds of Mine Resistant Ambush Protected Vehicles, Troops Carrying Vehicles, utility vehicles, tanks, and Armoured Personnel Carriers to augment those earlier procured.

READ ALSO: Bandits abduct Zamfara village head

“From 2017 to 2022, significant numbers of new fighting and utility vehicles along with supporting artillery guns, machine guns, rifles, and corresponding ammunition were acquired and inducted into various theatres of operations. This translates to a significant increment in the army’s equipment holding since 2015.

“With the significant improvement in the fighting power as a result of the procurement of equipment and mission-specific training, the army was empowered to rejig its operations. Accordingly, the army has restructured the conduct of its operations to meet current realities.

“The quantum of platforms inducted into the army since 2015 had enabled troops to take the battle to the terrorists and criminals, particularly in the North-East resulting in the recapture of territories hitherto held by the insurgents,” Buhari stated.

President Buhari told the gathering of top security chiefs, traditional rulers, and top government officials, who witnessed the ceremony, that the creation of the Army Aviation was one of the major aspects of the ongoing expansion process in the Nigerian Army.

The President said the efforts of his administration paid off with records of unprecedented successes, evident in the increased number of neutralised insurgents and those that voluntarily surrendered alongside their families for deradicalisation and rehabilitation through Operation Safe Corridor.

“This feat has continued to be replicated in other theatres of operation within the country leading to the resettlement of Internally Displaced Persons to their ancestral homes and restoration of economic activities in addition to the contribution of the Nigerian Army to global peace through Peace Support Operations.

READ ALSO: Buhari: Why Tinubu defeated Atiku, Obi Kwankwaso

“In the area of troops’ welfare, this administration has facilitated the approval of Manual for Financial Administration which has greatly enhanced the pay and allowances of troops. This has no doubt boosted troops’ morale and enhanced their zeal to discharge their constitutional mandate.

“Furthermore, in line with my resolve to cater for the families of deceased personnel, over 50,000 children and wards of personnel who died in active service are on the Nigerian Army scholarships from 2015 to date,” Buhari said.

On infrastructural development, President Buhari said his administration had made determined efforts to surmount the deficit in accommodation and other amenities.

“As the strength of the army increased, special interventions were made to construct new barracks accommodations and renovate the old ones.

“So far, hundreds of new blocks of accommodation were constructed and thousands of the old housing units were renovated and remodeled in various formations and units across the country between 2016 and 2022.

“Currently, massive construction works are ongoing in the new Muhammadu Buhari Barracks, Abuja, and other barracks to provide the requisite offices, houses, and facilities to cater for the increasing strength of the Army personnel,” he added.

President Buhari, therefore, commended the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Lucky Irabor, other Service Chiefs, and heads of all paramilitary organisations for their commitment and selfless service to Nigeria.

The Star