Nigeria’s security challenges complex, Buhari confesses

• Gets NIPSS report, pledges better deal for institute
President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday said the numerous security challenges facing Nigeria were rooted in internal and external factors, which his administration was tackling.

He spoke when he received a security report from course participants at the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS) during a visit to the Presidential Villa, Abuja.Buhari stated that he inherited sundry security issues in 2015, which were and still posing serious threat to lives and property of citizens.

According to him, his desire to surmount the problems informed the commissioning of NIPSS in 2017 to come up with a holistic framework in that regard. He said: “In November 2017, I tasked the management of the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies with the responsibility of strengthening the nation’s internal security framework through community policing by proposing borders, policy, offence and strategy. And I think this is what the report is all about.

“The decision of government was borne out of sincere desire to find sustainable solutions to the many security challenges inherited by this administration. These challenges not only threaten the security of lives and property of our people, but also the sovereignty and territorial integrity of our country.

The president went on: “We are confronted by Boko Haram insurgency in the North East, worrisome conflict with respect to farmers and herdsmen which has resulted in wanton destruction of lives and property across the country. Furthermore, there is the crisis of separatist agitation in the South East and militancy in the South South.

“Government is convinced that these security challenges are rooted in both internal and external factors. Most importantly, government is also convinced that finding sustainable solutions to these challenges will require the support and collaboration of security agencies and communities.”

Buhari submitted that the report was timely, as it came at a time his administration was reviewing security strategies.He promised to study the document and the recommendations therein.The Nigerian leader assured the institute that the Ministry of Budget and National planning would work towards providing necessary funding for it.