By Dipo Olowookere
The end to banditry in Nigeria seems to be very near going by the directive of President Muhammadu Buhari to the military on Saturday at the Umaru Musa Yar’Adua Airport, Katsina, the President’s home state.
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, Mr Buhari charged them not to spare the bandits, but identify, pursue them anywhere they are found and eliminate them.
“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,” the President was quoted as saying in a statement issued by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Mr Garba Shehu.
Mr Buhari told the military that, “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.”
The President, flanked by Governor Aminu Bello Masari, assured the troops that federal government will 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 despatch. I appreciate all your efforts but you can do more. I don’t want any bandit spared,” he assured.
He said the military should “not to spare bandits” that have been killing, maiming and extorting innocent citizens across the country.
According to him, “This group was formed by the military to secure the geo-political zone from the activities of bandits. Fundamentally, it is your responsibility to secure the country.”
President Buhari reminded them that government and all officials were being sustained in office by the ordinary people, and they owe 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.
