Buhari admits Nigeria is facing new form of threat from terrorists

President Muhammadu Buhari has admitted that Nigeria is facing a form of threat and other security challenges from Boko Haram terrorists, adding that his administration is looking into the challenges.

Buhari who disclosed this at the graduation of the National Defense College, course 27 in Abuja, said the occasion afforded him another opportunity to briefly reflect on the state of the Nigerian nation, particularly regarding national security.

He said the inception of his first term in 2015, Nigeria was at a critical crossroads with the Boko Haram group at the height of its infamy and virtually held Nigeria hostage.

“After four years of grueling work, I can report the progress that we have made in tackling the security challenges, with the combined efforts of our regional coalition partners, the Armed Forces of Nigeria and other security agencies.

“In spite of the progress, the Nigerian state is still beset with some existential and fundamental challenges. The Boko Haram for instance, having lost their insurgency campaign, now factionalised and mutated into a new form of terrorist threat.”

The President added that “Banditry and vandalism, kidnapping, pastoralists and farmers’ conflicts, cultism and political violence have become the new threats. Other crimes such as proliferation of small arms and light weapons, drug trafficking, drug and substance abuse and communal conflict, all add up to the security mix.

“The state of education, the youth bulge, unemployment, socio-political and ethno-religious divisions, fake news and hate speech all compound the security challenges.”

He, however, noted that his administration is committed to “promoting a vision of a secure, safe, just, peaceful, prosperous and strong nation.”

He said, “Indeed, we shall be employing all elements of our national and human resources to ensure security, a just society, peaceful co-existence, national unity, prosperity and sustainable development, while promoting our good standing abroad.”

The President also commended the National Defence College Course 27, saying he believes the graduates are sufficiently groomed in both character and learning to take up the challenge before them.