The Defence and Security Watch Group has applauded the decision to launch the National Military Strategy (NMS), describing the document as timely and well-articulated.
It said the strategy document could not have come at a better time than now that the nation is grappling with a myriad of security challenges occasioned by insurgency, banditry, kidnapping, armed robbery and the like.
In a statement by its Lead Expert, Dapo Akindele, the Watch Group commended the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Lucky Irabor, for his regular interface with Service Chiefs on strategies to deal with extremism and other violent crimes.
It will be recalled that Gen. Irabor at the end of a four-day Defence Retreat in Asaba, the Delta State capital, had urged the public to renew confidence in the capacity of the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) to defeat enemies of state across the country.
“Nigeria will certainly have greater level of safety, that is the essence of this defence retreat in Asaba.
“Nigerians should have confidence in the ability of the armed forces as we work in consonant with other security agencies to tackle security issues.
“With this retreat, Nigeria is safe because a far-reaching decision had been made. Man and life are full of challenges but for us, we don’t focus on the challenges, we are problem solvers. So, we came here to solve problems”, the CDS had said.
In the same vein, the think-tank enjoined the citizens to support the Armed Forces of Nigeria which, it noted, has shown determination to restore peace in volatile areas of the country.
It said: “The National Military Strategy (NMS) is timely, coming at a time enemies of the country would want to truncate peace and stability needed for the 2023 General Election, but we are glad the Armed Forces of Nigeria is up to their games.
“We recall that the CDS has met with retired senior military officers in the six geo-political zones to discuss ways out of the current security challenges in the country
“There was also the National Defence and Security Summit with the theme, “Promoting Kinetic Operations as a major Plank for Counter Terrorism and Counter Insurgency in Nigeria” in 2021.
“We believe our AFN is adequately prepared to deal with the security challenges, hence the public must continue to offer whatsoever support necessary.”
