Minister of Defence, Mansur Mohammad Dan Ali has commended the Nigerian Army for demonstrating its understanding of the complexities to tackling the mirage of security challenges confronting the country particularly the Boko Haram menace.
Represented by the Chief of Defence Staff, General Abayomi Olonisakin at the 4-Day International Seminar on Managing Asymmetric Security Challenges in the 21st Century at the Nigerian Army Resource Centre, Abuja, the minister described the seminar as timely given the threat of terrorism challenges across the world
The CDS said, “This seminar is particularly timely, coming against the backdrop of our recent experience in responding to the Boko Haram terrorist led insurgency in the northeast and the grievances induced militancy in the Niger Delta.
“It is pertinent to say that managing these challenges revolve around the intricate interplay of hard and soft power”.
Among the countries participating in the seminar are Bangladesh, Cameroun, India, Mali, Niger, Pakistan, United Kigdom and the United States of America.
In his address, Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt. General Tukur Buratai noted that the Federal Government (FG) is currently engaged with acquisition, installation and application of modern technologies in the fight against the Boko Haram terrorist group in the country.
He said thi was being done collaboration with the United States of America, Israel, United Kingdom, Jordan and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Read Also:
- NDLEA Intercepts N9Billion worth Opioids in Rivers; Arrests Canadian Lady al Lagos Airport with 35.20kg of Loud
- Security Challenges: Airforce Chief Conducts Operational Tour of Infrastructure/Facilities at NAF Units in Enugu & Port Harcourt
- Badaru Casts vote in Jigawa LG Elections, Commends Peaceful Process
While noting that these countries are also helping regarding capacity building for personnel of the Armed Forces, the Army Chief disclosed that the Nigerian Army under his leadership in collaboration with the Nigerian Navy and the Nigerian Air Force, has substantially degraded the Boko Haram terrorist group.
He lauded President Muhammadu Buhari for providing the needed resources to the Armed Forces in the fight against terror.
Gen. Buratai said the armed forces would continue to invest in capacity building for its personnel to enable them update their skills and fine tune their knowledge particularly as the world is currently challenged by emerging security threats.
He said, “Let me observe that the array of participants in this seminar which cuts across members of the academia, military and other security actors both from within and outside Nigeria clearly shows the seriousness and concern we accord the issue of managing asymmetric security challenges in particular and world peace in general.
“Let me at this point commend the Nigerian Army Resource Centre for taking this bold step to translate an idea earlier conceived by me into reality
“This forum is important as it will accord our nations the opportunity to re-think and re-strategize on the best approach from shared experiences to confront the challenges posed by asymmetric warfare in the 21st century as exemplified by insurgency, terrorism and other strategies used by adversaries to undermine constituted authorities”.
Buratai added that achieving success in tackling the emerging global security threats remains a collective responsibility, and urged participants to take advantage of the opportunities offered by the seminar to exchange ideas, information and knowledge
END
