Only military can’t end Boko Haram - Buhari
President Muhammadu Buhari, Monday, said only the military cannot end the ongoing counterinsurgency operations in the country.
This was even as he fingered politics as the root cause of Boko Haram insurgency in Nigeria.
Buhari said successful counterinsurgency operations required what he
called “unity of efforts across multiple Ministries, Departments and
Agencies covering political, economic, law enforcement, intelligence and
of course the military.”
The president,who spoke in Abuja,while delivering a keynote address at
the maiden Nigerian Air Force International Air Power Seminar with the
theme “Air Power in Irregular Warfare: A Framework for Understanding and
Responding”,however,reminded that his vision was to build a stable and
prosperous Nigeria that would be the pride of future generations.
Noting that his dream cannot be accomplished without peace, stability
and security, he enjoined Nigerians to embrace reforms that will
entrench true democracy in Nigeria’s polity.
“Successful counterinsurgency operations would therefore require unity
of efforts across multiple Ministries, Departments and Agencies covering
political, economic, law enforcement, intelligence and of course the
military, in what is popularly called whole of the nation approach.
“In this regard, we have mobilised relevant agencies and international
organisations to support the counterinsurgency effort in order to ensure
success,”he said.
“It is common knowledge that even though we require substantial military
input in combating an insurgency, its root cause is inherently
political in nature,”he added.
He spoke further:”This seminar is quite timely, in that since the
outbreak of the Boko Haram crisis in the North East of Nigeria, the
Nigerian Air Force and indeed the armed forces of Nigeria have been
engaged in conducting counter insurgency operations that have challenged
the Services’ doctrine, tactics, training, Order of Battle and force
protection architecture.
“Seminars like this are thus, necessary for armed forces like the
Nigerian Air Force to draw from the experiences of other armed forces
that have either previously or are currently engaged in counter
insurgency operations.
“I must therefore commend the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Baba Abubakar, for this initiative.”
He said his administration was committed to diversifying our economy,
adding,”we have been partnering with other stronger economies to attract
the much need Foreign Direct Investment.”
He further said:” We are also looking at alternate means of generating
electricity to power our industries and meet domestic demand.
“I assure you all that a lot has been achieved in this regard and we are putting in more effort in order to achieve more.
“This is to ensure that we build an economically prosperous, politically
stable, socially just and truly democratic Nigeria, where security of
lives and property is guaranteed.
“However, no economy can thrive in an insecure environment. It is in
realisation of this, that our Government considers it of high priority
to develop the capacity of our armed forces and indeed that of all
security agencies.
“We are committed to enhancing the welfare of all service personnel to
enable them give their utmost in their service to the nation.
“We are also committed to ensuring that our armed forces are
appropriately trained and equipped to deal with the contemporary
challenges of a globalised world, of which insurgency and terrorism have
become of greatest concern.
“In the last few years, Government’s effort at reprofessionalizing the
armed forces for improved performance has yielded positive results.
“The provision of modern equipment and motivation of personnel through
enhanced welfare is ongoing and I am aware that training activities
within the armed forces has improved tremendously.
“We will continue to support the drive to modernize the armed forces
through enhanced budgetary allocation in their quest to meet the
constitutional demands of protecting Nigeria’s sovereignty and
territorial integrity. I therefore charge the armed forces, particularly
the Nigerian Air Force not to rest on its oars in fulfilling this
constitutional role.”
Speaking further,he said:”It is important to stress that there has been
steady improvement in the security situation in the North East where the
Boko Haram activities have been confined in recent times. We have
denied them the ability to hold territory and the freedom of movement to
operate at will and they now resort to skeletal attacks on soft
targets.
” Our thoughs and prayers are always with the victims and families of
the Boko Haram atrocities. We remain committed to ensuring that the
crisis comes to an ends, while making the North East and indeed all
parts of Nigeria safe for all to live and prosper. Let me, as Commander
in Chief of the Armed Forces once again assure the military that I will
continue to ensure appropriate funding for our armed forces in order to
enhance capacity building and deepen professionalism.
“As I conclude, let me express my profound appreciation to all the
countries represented at this gathering especially our partners and
friends that have contributed in one way or the other towards the
success of our counterinsurgency operations. It is hoped that the
quality of papers to be delivered and subsequent discussions would be
highly beneficial to the Nigerian Air Force in particular, the Nigerian
armed forces and Nigeria in general. ”
On his part, Minister of Defence, Mansur Dan-Ali,commended the efforts
of the Nigerian Air Force for what it was expending in support of the
counterinsurgency operations, saying the development was instrumental in
curtailing the insurgents and making life more meaningful for the
victims.
While emphasizing the joint and indeed interministerial nature of
counterinsurgency operations, he thanked airmen and airwomen of the
Nigerian Air Force for the “consistent and professional manner in which
they have handled these operations.”
He said he was optimistic that the seminar would further provide new
options for the air force in its counterinsurgency operations based on
experiences from other countries.
“This seminar perfectly fits into the Ministry of Defence’s vision of
ensuring synergy and cooperation not just within the Services but across
ministerial boundaries in support of the nations political objectives.
With the support of the Federal Government we are doing our best to
ensure optimum utilization of resources in the procurement of equipment
and other resources that are required by the Services in prosecuting the
counterinsurgency operations,”he added.
Earlier,in his welcome address, Chief of Air Staff, Air Mashal Sadique
Abubakar, while noting that the Nigerian Air Force had for several years
hosted the Air Expo among other event on the security situation in
Nigeria, he, however,said the rapidly changing dynamics in the
international arena and the changing approach to warfare required
careful understanding of the threats and response options available for
the projection of air power in addressing National Security imperatives.
This, he said, necessitated the hosting of the event.
“We therefore deem it necessary to host this International Air Power
Seminar to serve as a platform for exchange of ideas on the way forward.
“The changing character of warfare has imposed the need for a change in
the way armed forces approach warfare. While the engagement in
conventional or regular warfare remains a possibility, the global
predominant threat to nations has become more irregular in nature.
Irregular warfare by its nature is asymmetric, and it covers a wide
range of activities with insurgency and counter-insurgency operations at
its core,”he added.
According to him,”Since the beginning of this decade, despite many
challenges associated with this type of warfare, the Nigerian Air Force
has over the years actively employed air power in dealing with security
challenges facing the nation. ”
The three-day event has participants from Colombia, the United Kingdom,
Pakistan, South Africa, Saudi Arabia, Sierra Leone, France, Liberia,
Morocco, Guinea Bisau, Turkey, Cameroon, Niger, Kenya, Senegal, Chad and
the United States of America in attendance.
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