Onslaught Against Banditry Continues – President Buhari

By Ayodele Oni

President MuhammadTVu Buhari, on Tuesday, reassured on continuity against banditry saying security forces have ramped up combat against bandits and terrorists who have held Nigerians hostage recently.

President Buhari said “We have directed the military to crush those terrorisizing our citizens, peace and security is gradually being restored to the country.

“In the past couple of days, you must have heard about the number of terrorists neutralized by the military, and number of hostages freed.”

The President spoke at the Citizens Summit for National Integration, Peace and Security in Abuja.

The summit was convened by the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations, (NIPR) and Partners, with the theme,” Reopen Conversation, Rebuild Trust.”

The president was represented at the event by the Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed.

He said just as his regime has been able to put the seemingly-intractable farmers-herders crisis under control, it would also successfully tackle the terrorists and bandits.

“As our security agencies put them on the run, they will no longer be able to carry out their deadly attacks as well as kidnappings.

“Peace and security will return to our country, and our unity will be strengthened.

”We must take the fight to the terrorists and demonstrate that there is no hiding place for them within the borders of our country.

“Each one of them will be hunted, and pursued and spoken to in the language that they understand.”

The President, who commended gallant men and women in uniform, appealed to all compatriots to continue to support them in their onerous task of keeping the country safe.

“We must also realize that security is the business of everyone, hence the tagline ‘if you see something, say something.’

“Terrorists or bandits are not spirits. They are human beings and they reside in our communities. They’ll must all be exposed and crushed for peace to reign.”