President Goodluck Jonathan on Thursday commissioned four Nigerian navy ships (NNS) at the Naval Dockyard Limited in Victoria Island, Lagos, vowing to degrade the Boko Haram insurgents within the next six weeks to a level that would allow a secure electioneering in the northeast.
Jonathan who expressed confidence in the ability of the Armed Forces to defend Nigeria and his territorial integrity, said the his administration is determined to equip the military to enable them face the challenges of insecurity.
The President commended the Armed Forces for the gains it has recorded in its fight against the Boko Haram insurgents, noting that the new security equipment provided has enhanced their performance.
“I commend the chief of naval staff, Vice-Admiral Usman Jibrin; chief of defence staff, Alex Badeh; and other service chiefs, officers and ratings who have made this inauguration possible,” he said.
“Let me use this platform to promise my Nigerian countrymen and women that we will rout Boko Haram. Our capacity has increased sufficiently and our officers and men are doing wonderfully well in the north and we must conduct our elections as scheduled by INEC.”
He said four more ships would be procured for the Nigerian Navy before the end of the year.
“As the lead maritime security agency, therefore, the NN deserves all the support it needs to effectively carry out its statutory roles,” he said.
Two of the four new ships were procured from China and the other two from the United States of America.
