Buhari Says Administration Working To Tackle Insecurity, Asks Nigerians To Be More Understanding
President Muhammadu Buhari has on Thursday stated that his administration is working hard to tackle insecurity confronting the nation, urging Nigerians to show more understanding.
According to a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, the President made the appeal while speaking with State House correspondents shortly after observing Eid prayers, marking the end of one-month-long Ramadan fast, at Presidential Villa, Abuja.
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The statement was titled, ‘President Buhari pledges action against bandits’ threat to national food security.’
President Buhari said the menace of bandits and kidnappers will be addressed to ensure that the nation’s food security is not threatened.
He was quoted as saying;
With the resources and manpower available to us, we are working very hard. We are hoping Nigerians will understand the problem. Nigerians know at what stage we came in in 2015, what state we are today both on security and the economy and we are doing our best.
The law enforcement agencies are working hard to regain confidence against the bandits, so that we can go back to the land. This is very important. This is what the agencies are busy doing right now. We want people to go back to the land so that we can get enough food for the country and even export.
Buhari also appealed to Nigerians for more understanding of the current situation in the country.
He said his administration will use all available resources and manpower in dealing with bandits to ensure that they did not create havoc against access to farms and food production in the coming growing season.
The President stated;
I expect Nigerians to be more understanding on the issues involved, looking at the time and available resources. For example, when we came in, in the Northeast, ask people in Adamawa and Borno States and the South-South in terms of security. Without security, you can’t do anything. Our big surprise and disappointment is what is happening in the Northwest and we are dealing with it.
Explaining ongoing efforts to tackle the security situation in the country by the administration, President Buhari drew attention to the series of long meetings held in recent weeks, chaired by him, saying that a part of resolutions had been made public by the National Security Adviser and the others kept secret.
He also commended the National Assembly for its support, saying that “the National Assembly is cooperating very well. Within the resources available, they are certainly giving us priority on our (military) requests.”
President Buhari then made an appeal to the nation’s elite to show a better appreciation of the problems facing the country.
He stated;
The elite should make the attempt to understand the military. If we order weapons and armored vehicles, it takes time for the manufacturers. It takes time to ship them and when brought here eventually, they are taken to training institutions, train the trainers before sending them to the field. This is a very long process.
President Buhari and members of his family were joined for Eid at the forecourt of the Villa by the President of the Senate, Dr. Ahmed Lawan, the Speaker, House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, cabinet members, and the heads of security and intelligence agencies.
