• ‘Armed Forces received N2.5tr in seven years
Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Lucky Irabor, yesterday, revealed that the Boko Haram insurgency led to the death of 100,000 persons, displaced over two million and caused damages worth $9 billion (N3.24 trillion).
Irabor made the disclosure during his presentation on the second day of the Third Ministerial Performance Review Retreat, held at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
He said the insurgency is now restricted to a corner of the territories the militants previously inhabited, even though they have made some inroads into the northwest.
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The CDS also said the Armed Forces of Nigeria received N2.5 trillion in seven years as budgetary provision and have been able to “tremendously” increase internal security operations.
He, however, regretted that the amount received was just 35 per cent of the Forces’ requirements and below 0.5 per cent of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
Speaking on the Forces’ operations in the Niger Delta, he said militancy has transmuted to crude oil theft.
He noted that gaps exist in the National Security Strategy, which he said could be overcome through initiatives of the political leadership, military operations and the attitude of the population.
MEANWHILE, giving his goodwill message at the retreat, the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Tinubu, assured that if elected, he will further the efforts of his party, despite challenges facing the global community.
While reminding citizens of what the President inherited on assumption of office, Tinubu said: “If elected, I will give due honour to your efforts and your legacy. I will work in the spirit of further unity and national purpose that informed the creation of our party and which characterised the work of your government.
“Most importantly, the ways and means of a Tinubu government will be devoted to further project and prosper the Nigerian people because our guiding principle will be to provide the best of progressive governance and reform our beloved land.
“Consider these three promises to build on the positives and growth of your nine-point agenda.”
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