The Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru, has said that the resurgence of Boko Haram in the North-East, especially in Borno State, is part of the insurgents’ renewed efforts to destabilise the Sahel states of Nigeria, Mali, Burkina-Faso, and Niger Republic. He, however, shared that the Nigerian Army has gained momentum in recent weeks, eliminating a lot of the insurgents.
Speaking to journalists shortly after he toured military facilities, Badaru stated that the attacks have clearly been heightened across Niger, Burkina Faso, and Mali in recent times, but FG is doing enough to curb the terrorists.
According to him, Nigeria will keep doing everything to fight insurgency, and normalcy will return to the country very soon.
Stressing the importance of both kinetic and non-kinetic approaches in addressing security challenges in the country, Badaru explained that kinetic approaches involve military action, while non-kinetic concentrate on appeasing communities and tackling underlying issues.
“If you are following what is happening in Niger, Burkina Faso, and Mali, you will see that these attacks have heightened everywhere.
There is a renewed vigour by the insurgents to destabilise the Sahel, we are doing a lot to curtail them, and we will fight it, and normalcy will return by the special grace of God and your prayers.
If you will do justice to us, in the past one or two weeks, you will see that the armed forces are gaining momentum and attacking and eliminating them,” he said.
Read Also: Nyesom Wike Is President Tinubu’s Hatchet Man – CUPP
The minister then hailed the Nigerian Defence Academy, Air Force Institute of Technology and other military institutions for the progress they have made in research and development.
He concluded by saying that more innovative research would eventually make Nigeria self-sufficient in military equipment.
“The institutions are doing a very good job and they are also carrying out the instructions of Mr President in deep research so that we will eventually be self-sufficient in our military requirements, including the platforms and the equipment we need to execute the military functions.
I believe they are doing very well in research, we have seen the innovations that they are doing, ranging from MWRAPS, Unmanned Aerial Vehicles and other equipment that are needed by the armed forces,” he added.
