UP GEJ: Security intact

Knowing that security of lives and property is essential in order for Nigeria to realise its potential, President Goodluck Jonathan has prioritized measures to enhance security over his first term.

Goodluck Jonathan became President of Nigeria at a very critical and challenging moment.  Since taking office, he has implemented a process of overhaul and renewal of personnel and systems in the armed forces, security agencies and police as Nigeria's military looks to meet the challenge of the new, unconventional and asymmetric challenges it now faces in the North East.

As a result of the anti-terror measures ordered by President Jonathan, the Nigerian Army is now better equipped, better trained, and better resourced than at any other time in Nigeria's history.  

President Jonathan has strengthened relations with neighbouring countries and the broader international community, soliciting their collaboration to end the scourge of Boko Haram.

Security agencies have also improved preventative measures, stopping many attacks that could have claimed unprecedented numbers of casualties.

Achievements:

• Declared a state of emergency (SOE) in the most affected states of Adamawa, Yobe and Borno in 2013 with the extension approved by the National Assembly in 2014 based on a request by President Jonathan.
• Launched the Safe Schools Initiative to ensure that young people are not only safe in going to school, but that schools are an environment ripe for learning, growth and development free of fear.
• Created a new Infantry Division of the Nigerian Army, headquartered in Maiduguri, with a mission to stamp out terrorism in the North-East.
• Enhanced collaboration with allies within the West African region, and international community to tackle terrorism in Nigeria, leading to the categorization of Boko Haram as a terrorist organization by the United Nations and others members of the international community.
• Convened a security summit in Paris, with French President François Hollande, during which the Presidents of Benin, Cameroon, Niger and Chad agreed to join with Nigeria and wage war against Boko Haram.
• Launched the North-East Development Programme, to tackle the root causes of terrorism.
• Implemented counter-terrorism joint training programmes for the Nigerian military with the United States and United Kingdom.
• Implemented Operation Restore Order, to cut down on the activities of Boko Haram in Borno and Yobe states and environs.
• Conducted mass recruitment to bolster the ranks of security agencies.
• Implemented Operation Safe Haven, which has successfully reduced the communal clashes on the Plateau and environs.
• Enhanced Nigeria’s leadership position in regional and global peace efforts, earning praise from the United Nations for Nigeria's role in peacekeeping operations across Africa.
• Sent troops to halt Islamist advances in Mali and to support the rule of law in Ivory Coast.
• Established a committee on Proliferation of Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALWs) to combat the flow of weaponry to Boko Haram and armed criminal gangs.
• Created a Victims Support Fund in order to mobilise resources and administer appropriate support to victims of insurgency and Boko Haram terrorist activities.
• In the South of the country, implemented an Amnesty programme and other initiatives, which have helped transform the security environment.