• Thursday, March 28, 2024
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BusinessDay

Buhari goes tough on bandits, orders soldiers not to spare them

Buhari’s delay in constituting cabinet disrupts NBS’ data release calendar

 

Disturbed by the increasing spate of criminal activities across the country, President Muhammadu Buhari on Saturday in Katsina,  Katsina State, ordered the military to be more spontaneous in restoring peace to the country.

The President while making reference particularly to states troubled by wave of banditry across the nation, ordered Soldiers “not to spare bandits’’ that have been killing, maiming and extorting innocent citizens.

The President stated this while addressing 15 officers and 160 soldiers of the 17th Army Brigade and Nigerian Air Force 213 Operational Base in Katsina,  under the “Operation Hadarin Daji’’, at the Umaru Musa Yar’Adua Airport, Katsina.

“As the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, I believe you are capable of doing it. I don’t think you should spare any bandit. Identify and eliminate them. Pursue them anywhere you can find them and eliminate them,’’ he said.

The President’s Order is coming amidst increasing insecurity caused by armed banditry, kidnapping for ransom and attacks on innocent citizens across the country.

The President said the group was formed by the military to secure the geo-political zone from the activities of bandits, adding that: “Fundamentally, it is your responsibility to secure the country.

“Nigeria deserves peace. The rainy season is good and we are already achieving food security, but we need peace. The money saved from food importation will be used to purchase arms for operations,’’ he said.

The President, flanked by Governor Aminu Bello Masari, assured the troops that the Federal Government would provide all the necessary support for restoration of peace in the country.

“We will give you all the right equipment so that you can deal with them with dispatch. I appreciate all your efforts but you can do more. I don’t want any bandit spared,’’ he added.

President Buhari said the government and all officials were being sustained in office by the ordinary people, and that they owed the people a duty to protect their lives and property.

“Please give my regards to your families. The earlier you finish with the bandits, the earlier you will return and stay with your families,’’ he said