President Bola Tinubu has declared that his administration has successfully eliminated over 300 Boko Haram and bandit commanders within his first year in office.
This milestone, he stated, highlights the progress being made in the fight against terrorism and violent extremism in Nigeria.
During his 64th Independence Day speech delivered on Tuesday, the president emphasized the government’s commitment to restoring security and peace across troubled regions of the country.
“On the security front, I am happy to announce to you, my compatriots, that our administration is winning the war on terror and banditry,” Tinubu stated.
He further outlined that the elimination of Boko Haram and bandit commanders has occurred at an unprecedented pace, specifically in the Northeastern and Northwestern parts of the country.
Tinubu also noted the restoration of peace to several communities previously ravaged by insurgency and banditry.
“We have restored peace to hundreds of communities in the North, and thousands of our people have been able to return home,” he said.
He reaffirmed his administration’s ongoing efforts, stressing that the fight against insecurity remains a priority.
“It is an unfinished business, which our security agencies are committed to ending as quickly as possible,” he added.
The president further expressed optimism that the restored security in affected areas would have a positive ripple effect on the nation’s agricultural output, which has been severely impacted by insecurity.
“As soon as we can restore peace to many communities in the troubled parts of the North, our farmers can return to their farms.
“We expect to see a leap in food production and a downward spiral in food costs,” Tinubu stated.
His reassurances come amid rising concerns about the worsening insecurity in the country.
Last month, the Zamfara State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) called on the federal government to declare a state of emergency to allow for a more focused and effective campaign against banditry.
Similarly, elder statesmen, including former President Olusegun Obasanjo and former Military President Ibrahim Babangida (IBB), met in Minna, Niger State, to deliberate on possible solutions to the growing insecurity.
Opposition leaders have also voiced their dissatisfaction with the government’s handling of the crisis.
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar criticized the federal government’s response, accusing it of being distracted by “inconsequential affairs” while the country grapples with rampant violence.
In a post on his X (formerly Twitter) page, Atiku condemned the government’s actions, particularly in light of recent terrorist attacks in Yobe State that claimed numerous lives.
“Despite the tragic bloodshed in Yobe, which has claimed scores of lives, and the rampant destruction across numerous villages in Katsina, Sokoto, and other towns within the North-West and North-Central regions, the government seems to remain detached, engrossed in inconsequential affairs,” he said.
Atiku also expressed frustration over the government’s preoccupation with silencing dissent, accusing it of employing “draconian measures” such as imposing death sentences on protesters.
He urged the Tinubu administration to take immediate action to reform the security apparatus and prioritize the protection of lives and property across the country.
In a similar incident, insurgents recently launched an attack on Mafa Village, in Tarmuwa Local Government Area of Yobe State, killing many and burning several houses.
Police spokesperson Dungus Abdulkarim confirmed the attack, stating that while the exact number of casualties remains unknown, the scale of destruction was severe.
In response, the Kaduna State government held funeral prayers for 34 victims killed in another attack, while Acting Governor Yakubu Garba announced plans to collaborate with the military to assess the security situation in Alawa.
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