As 689 new officers were commissioned into the armed forces on Saturday, President Muhammadu Buhari has told the military that they must defeat the ideologies that promote mindless killings and anarchy, saying that, Nigeria is confronted by enemies whose identities and motivations are unknown

President Buhari stated this while reviewing the combined passing out parade of the cadets of the 64 Regular Course of the Army, Navy and Air Force), the 65 Regular Course of the Navy and Air Force), and the Short Service Course 44 of the Army.

The President who was represented by the Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo said, the swift evolution in suicide bombings is a perfect illustration of the nature of the threats that nations face today, which are unpredictable, asymmetric, constantly adapting to changing conditions and driven by a compulsive need to inflict maximum damage with minimal effort.

Addressing the newly commissioned officers of the challenges ahead of them, Buhari said, the world has gotten to a stage where people can now learn production of explosive device on the internet.

He therefore, challenged the military to answer the question of how to defeat the ideologies that promote mindless killings and anarchy.

According to him, “The world has changed a great deal in the time since today’s graduating classes enrolled into the NDA. The threats that confront us a nation and as a planet have evolved and continue to evolve. Forty years ago, a Speech like this would have been situated firmly within the context of the Cold War with its well-defined ideologies, and distinct warring parties.

“Today we speak of non-State Actors and of asymmetric warfare, and are confronted by enemies that whose identities are as nebulous as their motivations. It feels like yesterday when the earliest high-profile Boko Haram suicide bombings happened in Nigeria.

“If I recall correctly the bombing of the Police Headquarters in Abuja was the first major incident to hit the national consciousness. It was a surreal moment, something that no one associated with Nigeria. It was not uncommon, at that time, to hear people argue that the perpetrators had to have been of foreign origin, as it was not in the nature or personality of Nigerians to be suicide bombers.

“This was only about six years ago. In the time since we have come to grow accustomed to suicide bombings and by Nigerians no less. The targets evolved rapidly, from symbols of authority like the Police Headquarters and the United Nations Building in Abuja, to encompass soft targets bus stations, religious houses, markets. And again very quickly we started to see a trend of female suicide bombers.

The President therefore charged the new officers to contribute their own quota to the defence of their fatherland, saying that, they belong to a special breed of young Nigerians, who model the highest form of patriotism and love of country as they have sworn to defend the nation with their lives, as armed forces personnel.

“You have an obligation to commit yourself to the never-ending task of nation-building, especially at a time like this when our country is urgently in need of peace, unity and cohesion. As you join your senior colleagues in the field, you will be obligated to contribute your own quota to the defence of your fatherland.