President Muhammadu Buhari issued new marching orders to the military yesterday: wipe out terrorists.
He stated that the last 12 years have been the most difficult due to insecurity.
The North has been hit hard by serious terrorism and bandit attacks, which have worsened.
There have been community attacks, kidnapping for ransom, insurgency, and ongoing farmer-herder clashes, among other things.
Terrorists blew up rail tracks on the Abuja-Kaduna route in March, in a renewed wave of terror.
On the Kaduna-bound train, eight passengers were killed, 41 were injured, and many were kidnapped.
Terrorists attacked Abuja’s Kuje Correctional Centre on July 5, freeing all 64 Boko Haram commanders and men as well as over 400 inmates.
Four inmates and an operative of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) were killed during the attack for which the Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP) claimed responsibility.
In the Southeast, killings and arson have become almost a daily occurrence across the five states.
But the President said his administration and neighbouring countries will not relent in the war against terror.
He spoke at the graduation of 247 students of the Senior Course 44 of the Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Jaji, Kaduna State.
The Monday’s sit-at-home declared by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) is taking a toll on the region’s economy.
The President said: “Most of the security challenges facing the world today are both asymmetric and trans-border in nature, involving mainly non-state actors in different regions and sub-regions of the world.
“The West African sub-region and indeed our beloved continent of Africa are not immune to these threats.
“We have witnessed recent terrorist attacks in Nigeria, bearing the hallmark of national and trans-border insurgents trying to cause havoc in Nigeria as well as in neighbouring countries.
“It will be part of your duty to confront these terrorists and insurgents and wipe them off the face of the earth and bring peace to our countries.”
He urged the graduates to apply their skills to the anti-terror war.
The President, who noted the sacrifices and successes of the Nigerian military in defending the country, said his government would continue to provide the needed support.
He described an aspect of their training, which focused on countering security threats, as very important.
“Combating these prevalent security threats effectively demands that African countries continue to work together at all levels; be it tactical, operational and strategic,” he added.