Muhammadu Buhari has stated that his administration has realized its plan to improve the security architecture of Nigeria by upgrading hardware, building facilities, training and equipping staff and officers, and structuring a welfare system that caters to over 50,000 children of fallen heroes.

Speaking at a ceremony attended by former leaders, Head of State Gen. Yakubu Gowon and President Goodluck Jonathan, President Buhari said that his administration has made significant progress in fighting against insurgents, militants, oil bunkers, kidnappers, and other criminal elements.

The President stated that at the inception of his administration, the country’s security situation was greatly challenged by the activities of violent non-state actors, but it has tremendously improved today. The President endorsed 81 flags for various units of the Nigerian Army, symbolically representing the Army’s fighting power.

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President Buhari disclosed that he instituted the recruitment of 60,000 soldiers into the Armed Forces, and thousands graduated from the Nigerian Defence Academy and other security institutions to tighten security.

He also mentioned the yearly budgetary allocations and interventions made to the Army between 2020 and 2022, which procured hundreds of Mine Resistant Ambush Protected Vehicles, Troops Carrying Vehicles, utility vehicles, tanks, and Armoured Personnel Carriers.

These acquisitions have augmented the Army’s fighting power, and it currently ranks fourth among African militaries as against seventh in 2015. The President commended the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen Lucky Irabor, and all paramilitary organizations’ service chiefs and heads for their commitment and selfless service to Nigeria.