DESPITE the two deadly attacks by Boko Haram insurgents last Tuesday and Wednesday which claimed 148 lives in Borno villages, President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday said the nation was progressively winning the war against the insurgents under the Multinational Force comprising neighbouring countries.

The President stated that in spite of the recent attack by the Islamic militant group, with the assistance of neighbouring countries, Nigeria was progressively winning the fight against Boko Haram.

Buhari stated this in his address as the Special Guest of Honour at the graduation of 174 military officers of Senior Course 37 of the Armed Forces Command and Staff College (AFCSC), Jaji. Represented by his Vice, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, Buhari expressed confidence in the quality of training received by officers in the institution, which he said had adequately prepared the military to confront current threats to national and global security.

The President, however, cautioned the officers to be mindful of the “distracting and diversionary” nature of today’s highly sensitive media environment.

He said: “Some of you will be deployed in crisis-prone areas for either internal security or peace support operations outside your country; given that we live in a common global environment, you must be conscious of your actions.”

On Nigeria’s commitment to global peace, Buhari argued that the country remains firmly committed to the maintenance of international peace and security, adding that the nation would continue to collaborate with other governments to promote peace, stability and development on the African continent and around the world.

He, therefore, charged the military to leave up to expectations at all times and to uphold the nation’s enduring legacy in global peacekeeping operations. “As members of the armed forces, you have a principal role to play in protecting the lives and property of our citizens.

While maintaining internal peace and security remains primarily the responsibility of the civil police, the scale of the current security challenges facing our nation requires the military to play a more decisive role in support of civil power. “Always remember that ethnicity and religious intolerance are the greatest threats to our collective security as a people and as a nation. I urge you all to guard against these negative sentiments in the discharge of your noble duties,” the President added.