President Muhammadu Buhari on Saturday expressed his shock over the killing of military personnel in Metele village, Borno by Boko Haram terrorists.
Buhari, who spoke through his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu in a statement in Abuja, however reiterated his administration’s commitment to ensuring the security of military personnel and other citizens.
He said: “No responsible Commander-in-Chief would rest on his oars or fold his hands to allow terrorists to endanger the lives of military personnel and other citizens.
“Our loyal forces have proved their strength over the terrorists and we are ready to give them all the needed support in terms of equipment and manpower, to succeed in ending the renewed threat.
“In the coming days, I am engaging the military and Intelligence Chiefs in extensive discussions on the next steps we shall be taking.”
The President, who spoke in reaction to the recent killing of soldiers by Boko Haram terrorists, gave an assurance that immediate measures have been taken to ensure that the loopholes which led to the fatalities were blocked, once and for all.
He noted that fighting terrorism had taken a global dimension, which necessitated international collaboration among states facing similar security challenges.
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He cautioned Nigerians against making a political capital out of the national tragedy, stressing that “members of the Armed Forces are one family, commonly committed to the security and safety of all Nigeria.
Boko Haram terrorists had on November 18, killed some soldiers at the border town of Metele.
Media reports put the number of dead soldiers at 44.
The Army in a release however, refused to comment on the number of casualties resulting from that attack.