(SINL NIGERIA) The minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru has assured that the federal government will continue to prioritise the welfare, training and equipment needs of Nigerian troops to maintain operational readiness and efficiency.
Specifically, he said the country will adopt a proactive approach to combat security challenges; by harnessing intelligence resources and seek stronger partnerships with West African neighbours.
The minister made this known at a press briefing heralding the 2025 Armed Forces Remembrance Day Celebration in Abuja.
He said the Armed Forces Remembrance Day is a very important event celebrated globally.
Historically, Badaru said it is observed in commemoration of the end of the World War I which ended on 11th November, 1918, saying while other Commonwealth member countries observe this event on 11th November yearly, Nigeria observes it on 15th January annually to commemorate the end of the Nigerian Civil War.
The minister, who spoke through the permanent secretary ministry of defence,
Dr. Ibrahim Abubakar Kana observed that
Nigeria, has been bedeviled by serious internal security concerns for over a decade, pointing out that these challenges have stretched the resources of the nation and the Armed Forces to restore normalcy.
“The war on insurgency has led the pack of security challenges threatening the corporate existence of our dear nation. As the nation was beginning to heave a sigh of relief from insurgency in the North East, new frontiers of terror emerged in the North West and North Central in the form of banditry, cattle rustling and kidnapping”.
He however added that the Armed Forces of Nigeria has risen up to these challenges irrespective of the costs paid by troops. “For this reason, we now have a situation that is under control. When bandits and criminals formulate new techniques and establish new bases when dislodged, the Armed Forces have continued to adopt new strategies and switch up their tactics to take the battle to their doorsteps”.
He said “The troops of the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) have continually dealt fatal blows to terrorist groups in the Lake Chad Region through a series of daring operations”.
The minister explained that in consolidating efforts to end insurgency, the Nigerian Armed Forces led by the Chief of Defence Staff has recently got the Republic of Niger back into the MNJTF.
“This will no doubt help in securing our very extensive border with that country as well as contribute to the overall effectiveness of the Joint Task Force. Thanks to the renewed vigour, incidences of security breaches have been reduced by an estimated 65% across the country and the Armed Forces will continue until the nation achieves insignificant level of breaches.
“It is gladdening to note that scores of insurgents have been surrendering and renouncing terrorism. The Federal Government through the Defence Headquarters, Ministry of Defence and relevant Agencies will continue to de-radicalize and rehabilitate repentant insurgents to live peaceful and productive lives. This is employing the carrot and stick or kinetic and non-kinetic approach to the warfare” the minister said.
He enjoined the media to provide extensive coverage and reportage to the activities marking the 2025 Armed Forces Remembrance Day Celebration.
