President Muhammadu Buhari has assured Nigerians again that his administration would continue to work to make the country safe for Nigerians, adding that it is the duty of security agencies to know terrorists’ hideouts.
He advised heads of military and other security agencies in the country to live up to their responsibilities and make sure that terrorists giving Nigerians sleepless nights are liquidated.
President Muhammadu Buhari gave this assurance yesterday after observing the Eid-el-Fitr prayers at the Mambila Barracks Parade Ground, Abuja, and returned to the Presidential Villa.
He admitted having sleepless nights over the security situation in parts of the country. He, however, promised to spare no efforts in dealing decisively and mercilessly with the criminal gangs.
The president said it is important to make the country safe, especially as the rains have started, noting that farmers must be assured of their safety as they return to the farms, thereby securing the country’s food production.
“Heads of the services: Army, navy, air force, the Inspector-General of Police and so on, are very much aware of the situation. It’s their duty to know where the terrorists are and eliminate them,” he said.
In the 2023 general elections, the President reaffirmed the commitment of his administration to a free, fair and transparent process. When asked who he would like to hand over power to, the President said: “The person that Nigerians elect.”
The President’s Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, in a statement in Abuja, said the President used the fasting period to practise the values projected by Ramadan.
These, according to him, include the promotion of discipline and personal sacrifice, care, and love for the less fortunate, promotion of national unity and support for the Armed Forces as they strive to end terrorism and other crimes in the country.
Monday’s Eid prayer was the first time the President would observe the session outside the Presidential Villa since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic two years ago.
Dahey-Shuwa, Chief Imam in his sermon, also prayed for peace and stability in the country, calling on citizens to continue to pray and support the nation’s security agencies in their fight against terrorism and violent crimes across the country.
In his message during the Eid service, the Chief Imam of Mambila Barracks stressed the need for genuine repentance from sin by all, love for one another, forgiveness, tolerance and constant prayers to Allah as the weapon against all adversities of life.
The Imam was also emphatic that extra efforts must be made in obeying the commandments of Allah, exercising patience at all times for his sake, as well as maintaining the competition in good deeds for humanity, nature, cooperation and brotherhood.
Special prayers were offered for an end to the various challenges bedevilling the country, peaceful 2023 elections, as well as sustainable national unity, stability and prosperity.
President Buhari has however said efforts were ongoing to ensure the safe return of captives being held by bandits who attacked the Abuja-Kaduna train on March 28. He said he had directed security agencies and the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) to provide more regular and detailed information to families.
The President said the government would explore every opportunity to secure the captives alive and unhurt. The Nigerian leader gave the assurance when he received some FCT residents at the State House on Sallah homage yesterday.
He said: “Many families are in a state of fear and anxiety on account of the many captives held by terrorists against their will, including those taken away after the tragic bombing of the Abuja – Kaduna train. I have directed security agencies to ensure the quick and safe recovery of all victims of kidnapping.
“I urge the railway management to immediately set up a situation room for the coordination of the rescue mission and for a minute by minute engagement with the families of the captives. This should ease their pain and anxiety as we push the military to find a safe return to their families. My aim is to see all those in captivity safely rescued.”
President Buhari said the bandits “are just pushing their luck, but this is only for a while before they are finally crushed.”
He told the visitors that the enemies are using civilians as human shields, thereby, making it difficult to confront them directly.
According to the President, bandits and terrorists, unlike professional soldiers, don’t respect the rules of engagement and could resort to harming hostages when attacked.
He said: “They don’t care about killing their hostages if they come under attack. It’s a delicate situation that requires wisdom, caution and also patience.
“Any rescue operation that results in the death of any hostage cannot be deemed a success. The government doesn’t want this kind of tragic outcome. It’s a complex situation that demands proper handling.
“The primary objective of any rescue operation is to free the hostages safely, unharmed and alive. Let me make it clear, however, that defeating the terrorists and bandits requires more than weapons; we also need human intelligence which is necessary to frustrate terrorist plans.”
Olusola Bello
