President Buhari Directs Security Forces to War Against Insurgency

President Muhammadu Buhari ordered security forces to take the war against the insurgency to the criminal elements’ hiding places and make sure they are removed.

He stated this yesterday in Maiduguri, Borno State, on World Humanitarian Day 2022.

Additionally, Buhari ordered the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management, and Social Development, as well as its agencies, to develop programs to address the immediate dangers posed by explosive remnants in the Northeast.

The President, who issued the directive, affirmed the government’s commitment to reducing the effect of disasters, climate change, insurgency and challenges of Internally Displaced Persons, IDPs.

He underlined his directive to security forces to carry the war to the hideouts of the criminal groups and guarantee ”they are thoroughly eliminated.”

He said:  ”The Men and Officers of Operation Lafiya Dole, Security Agencies and the Multi-National Joint Task Force, MNJTF, are very much appreciated for their commitment to the fight against insurgency.

”I commend their professionalism and tactical penetration to the hideout of the criminal elements, leading to appreciable improvement of the security situation in this North East Region, without which the resettlement of the IDPs would not be possible.

”I, therefore, implore you not to relent in your efforts. Continue to take the fight to their hideouts and ensure they are eliminated.

”I also implore you to ensure adequate security for farmers in their farming activities. Agricultural activities are most needed for settlement and development of the rural areas, and this can only be achieved if the farmers are sure of their safety.”

In a statement released by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity,  Femi Adesina, the President said: “The emerging issues include the increasing number of orphans and widows.” He also directed the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and its agencies to pay particular attention to emerging issues amid the return and rehabilitation of Nigerians displaced during the 13-year conflict and insurgency in the region.

”From our experience in the unfortunate civil war, I know the threat that unexploded ordnances can pose to returnees, even after the conflict has ended, as we saw in the latest IED incident in Bama last week.

”I urge the Ministry and its agencies as well as state governments and the special committee I have set up under the chairmanship of the Vice President to come up with specific programmes and projects that respond to these emerging challenges  of explosive ordnance as well as that of children orphaned by insurgency.”

Marking World Humanitarian Day yesterday, President Buhari commended all humanitarian aid workers that provided much-needed assistance to those afflicted by the conflict.

He commended humanitarian aid workers worldwide for standing out for their courage, dedication, and passion for assisting those in need – frequently at great personal risk themselves.

”This typifies the nature of humanitarian work and sacrifice, and it is an excellent testimony for the theme of this year’s World Humanitarian Day, which is “It Takes a Village,” he said.

At the occasion in Maiduguri, the President led the other attendees in observing a minute of silence in remembrance of all those who lost their lives in disasters and humanitarian workers who died while performing their jobs.

‘‘On this 2022 World Humanitarian Day and every other day, we stand and shall continue to stand in solidarity with humanitarian aid workers and recognise their tremendous service and sacrifice.

”We celebrate their tireless efforts to save lives, preserve human dignity, and alleviate suffering. Their selfless commitment and actions stand as an example to us all.

”We will also make sure that they have our backing by ensuring that the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management, Social Development facilitates their work,” he pledged.

General Theophilus Danjuma, ret., was also thanked by President Buhari for helping the government of Borno State rehabilitate numerous internally displaced people (IDPs) in the North East. President Buhari called General Danjuma’s humanitarian assistance significant and patriotic.

The UNDP, the European Union, the governments of the United States, the United Kingdom, and Germany, as well as other foreign organisations, were also commended by the President for their assistance in supporting the administration’s efforts to stabilise the North East.

The Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Sadiya Umar Farouq, said that since 2016, 35 relief workers have died, 22 have been injured, and 28 have been kidnapped, using data from the Aid Worker Security Database.

Six humanitarian workers had been abducted in the nation since the year’s beginning, she added.

Regarding the venue selected for this year’s event, the Minister said that Borno was selected to draw attention to the region’s humanitarian crisis and the plight of IDPs while also serving as a catalyst for change.

While in Borno, President Buhari gave the go-ahead for constructing the Molai 500 low-cost housing development for IDPs and the Bulunkutu Teachers’ Quarters on Airport Road.