President Bola Tinubu has urged Nigerians to stand united in the fight against terrorism and work for global peace and security.

Tinubu made the appeal at a book launch on “Terrorism and Counter-Terrorism in Northeast Nigeria: Emerging Perspectives and the Imperative of Airpower” in Abuja on Friday, November 17, 2023.

The book was a research study sponsored by the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) in collaboration with Babcock University.

“Together, let us stand united against terrorism and work towards a future where peace, security, and prosperity prevails in the Northeast region of Nigeria, in Nigeria and the global community,” Tinubu said in a prepared text read by the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, who represented the president at the event.

He stated that the North-East region of Nigeria had been grappling with the scourge of terrorism for too long, adding that the brutal attacks committed by extremist groups had inflicted immense suffering upon innocent people of the region and Nigeria as a whole.

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“But amidst this darkness, there is hope. Hope that with true knowledge, understanding, and the collective efforts of all stakeholders, we can overcome these challenges and restore peace and stability to the region and by implication to Nigeria,” Tinubu said.

He said the book “represents a significant contribution to the understanding of one of the most pressing challenges of our time, the fight against terrorism”, adding that it was authored by experts who had dedicated their lives to studying and analysing the complexity of terrorism

President Tinubu said: “It delves into the root cause of terrorism in the Northeast region, examines the evolving tactics and strategies employ by extremist groups, and explores the roles of airpower in combating this menace.

“Airpower has emerged as a critical component in modern warfare and its significance in counter-terrorism operations cannot be overestimated.

“The use of air assets such as drones, surveillance aircraft, and precision weapons have proven instrumental in gathering intelligence, disrupting terrorist networks, and providing support to ground forces.

“The launch of this book is not just an academic exercise. It is a call to action. It serves as a reminder that we have a shared responsibility to fight against terrorism and protect the lives and liberty of our fellow citizens.”

Tinubu further commended the support of the organisers and sponsors of the events, particularly the NAF and Babcock University.

Akpabio, on behalf of the Senate, however, launched the book with N10 million.

The Star