He said the last 12 years have been the most challenging due to insecurity.
There have been attacks on communities, kidnapping for ransom, insurgency and incessant farmer-herder clashes, among others.
In a renewed wave of terror, terrorists in March blew up rail tracks on the Abuja-Kaduna route.
Eight passengers were killed on the Kaduna-bound train; 41 people were injured, while many were abducted.
On July 5, terrorists attacked the Kuje Correctional Centre in Abuja, freeing all 64 Boko Haram commanders and men, as well 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 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.
The Nation
