President Bola Tinubu has assured the military and paramilitary agencies that Nigeria will prevail over terrorism and banditry despite recent deadly attacks in Borno State.
The President gave the assurance on Friday during an interfaith breaking of fast with service chiefs and heads of paramilitary agencies at the State House, Abuja.
“I appreciate all the people facing the challenges of terrorism and banditry. We will win. Nigeria will prevail,” Tinubu stated.
He disclosed that he had called Borno State Governor Prof. Babagana Zulum to share in the pain of recent terrorist attacks that claimed lives in the state.
“My sympathy goes to the Vice President and the entire country and the people of Borno for the incidents that occurred.
“I made a call to Zulum to share the pain with him. If you talk to him too, please remember to reinforce our love and our sincere concern and commitment that, yes, freedom could be difficult and challenging at this period,” the President said.
He acknowledged the sacrifices of military personnel who stay away from their families while confronting terrorists and bandits across the country.
“My duty is to thank all of you on behalf of a grateful nation, knowing fully well that many times you are without your families. You stay away from them. Some are facing attacks from banditry and terrorists, working hard together, whether in the office or in the medical section.
“You’ve been working to serve the country deeply and protect our sovereignty. This nation will always be grateful to you, and your sufferings will not be in vain, I assure you,” Tinubu stated.
The President commended the leadership of the armed forces for working hard to protect the country from terrorists and bandits.
He promised that the welfare of military personnel and their families would remain a top priority, acknowledging the shortage of accommodations and other challenges facing them.
“I’m sure you will do everything possible collectively to ensure that the welfare and many other opportunities that should be extended to your families will take utmost priority. I understand the shortage of accommodations and everything. We are struggling with it collectively,” the President said.
Tinubu linked the security challenges to broader economic reforms, assuring the service chiefs that sacrifices made by citizens are yielding positive results.
“I know so many of you have been wondering what is happening to the economy when we first started. We had a rough ride and ran into very serious tumult.
“What I can say as I’m standing before you now is that we’ve stabilised. I’m happy to inform you that your sacrifices and those of your fellow citizens are not in vain. We are out of the dark tunnel. We are seeing the daylight and bright light ahead of us,” the President stated.
He emphasised Nigeria’s resilience in the face of challenges, saying the country has always prevailed when tested.
“Nigeria has always prevailed anytime we are challenged. We have always come together, pulled together, thought and worked and sympathised with one another,” Tinubu said.
The President also referenced recent approvals and commitments given to the military, suggesting that resources have been allocated to enhance their operational capacity.
The interfaith breaking of fast brought together members of the Federal Executive Council, service chiefs, heads of paramilitary agencies, and other government officials.