Minister of Defence Muhammad Badaru has said Nigeria had made significant progress in dismantling terrorists and bandit networks, neutralising hundreds of operatives, including some of their top leaders.
According to him, the country is gradually overcoming a decade of insurgency and violent extremism while lamenting that the current security environment in Nigeria was dynamic and challenging.
The minister spoke at the Alumni Association of the National Institute (AANI) 45th Annual General Meeting and the election of a new National Executive Committee in Kuru near Jos at the weekend.
Badaru who is chairman of the annual general meeting of AANI also called on members to bring their wealth of experience and expertise to bear in shaping national security strategies and in driving Nigeria’s broader socio-economic development agenda.
“I am pleased to report that the military, in collaboration with other security agencies, continues to work tirelessly to restore peace and protect lives and property. The task of securing our nation is a shared responsibility,” he said.
He further said through a whole-of-nation approach, Nigeria could achieve better results, adding that this approach required the active engagement of all stakeholders including government agencies, civil society, community leaders and the private sector in a coordinated effort to maximise impact.
