President Muhammadu Buhari ordered security forces to carry the war against insurgency to the criminal elements' hiding places and make sure they are totally removed yesterday in Maiduguri, Borno State.
The Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management, and Social Development, as well as its agencies, were also given orders by Buhari to develop particular programmes to deal with the immediate threats posed by explosive remnants in the Northeast.
The President emphasised the government's commitment to lessening the impact of disasters, climate change, insurgency, and issues of Internally Displaced Persons, IDPs, in his directive, which was given in honour of World Humanitarian Day 2022.
He reiterating his order to security services to go after criminal elements' hiding places and make sure "they are entirely removed."
The Multi-National Joint Task Force, Security Agencies, and Men and Officers of Operation Lafiya Dole, he stated, "are greatly recognised for their devotion to the war against insurgency.
"I applaud their professionalism and tactical penetration into the lair of the criminal elements, which has significantly improved the security situation in this North Eastern Region and made it possible to resettle the IDPs.
"As a result, I beg you not to give up on your efforts. Continue attacking their lairs to make sure they are destroyed entirely.
"I also beg you to make sure that farmers have enough security for their farming operations. The development and settlement of rural regions depend heavily on agricultural activities, which can only be carried out if farmers are confident in their own safety.
In a statement released by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, the President said: "The emerging issues include the increasing number of orphans and widows."
He also directed the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and its agencies to pay particular attention to emerging issues amid the return and rehabilitation of Nigerians who were displaced during the 13-year conflict and insurgency in the region.
As we saw with the most recent IED incident in Bama last week, I am aware from our experience in the tragic civil war of the harm that unexploded ordnances can pose to refugees even after the war has finished.
"I urge the Ministry and its agencies, state governments, and the special committee I have established under the leadership of the Vice President to develop specific programmes and projects that address these emerging challenges of explosive ordnance as well as those of children orphaned by insurgency."
President Buhari praised all humanitarian aid workers on World Humanitarian Day, which is observed annually on August 19. This aid was crucial in helping those affected by the conflict.
He commended humanitarian aid workers all throughout the world for standing out for their courage, dedication, and passion to assist those in need - frequently at great personal risk to themselves.
It is a tremendous testament to the meaning of humanitarian effort and sacrifice, and it fits with this year's World Humanitarian Day's theme of "It Takes a Village," he said.
At the occasion in Maiduguri, the President led the other attendees in observing a minute of silence in remembrance of all those who lost their lives in disasters and humanitarian workers who died while performing their jobs.
"We stand and will continue to stand in solidarity with humanitarian relief workers and acknowledge their incredible dedication and sacrifice on this 2022 World Humanitarian Day and every other day.
We honour their steadfast efforts to save lives, uphold human dignity, and end suffering. They serve as an inspiration to all of us with their unselfish dedication and deeds.
The Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management, Social Development would facilitate their job, we will make sure they have our support, he promised.
General Theophilus Danjuma, ret., was also thanked by President Buhari for helping the government of Borno State rehabilitate numerous internally displaced people (IDPs) in the North East. President Buhari called General Danjuma's humanitarian assistance significant and patriotic.
The UNDP, the European Union, the governments of the United States, the United Kingdom, and Germany, as well as other foreign organisations, were also commended by the President for their assistance in supporting the administration's efforts to stabilise the North East.
The Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Sadiya Umar Farouq, said that since 2016, 35 relief workers have died, 22 have been injured, and 28 have been kidnapped, using data from the Aid Worker Security Database.
Six humanitarian workers had been abducted in the nation since the year's beginning, she added.
Regarding the venue selection for this year's event, the Minister said that Borno was selected to draw attention to the region's humanitarian crisis and the plight of IDPs while also serving as a catalyst for change.
While in Borno, President Buhari gave the go-ahead for the construction of the Molai 500 low-cost housing development for IDPs and the Bulunkutu Teachers' Quarters on Airport Road.