PRESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari on Saturday told the Nigerian Military to identify bandits across the country and eliminate them in order to restore peace nationwide.
He said those involved in banditry should not be spared.
Buhari made the call in Katsina State stressing that the military should be more spontaneous.
“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 stated.
“Nigeria deserves peace. The rainy season is good and we are already achieving food security, but we need peace.”
In a statement issued by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu, in Abuja, Buhari tasked the military personnel while addressing 15 officers and 160 soldiers of the 17th Army Brigade and Nigerian Air Force 213 Operational Base, Katsina, under the “Operation Hadarin Daji’’, at the Umaru Musa Yar’Adua Airport, at the state capital.
According to him, the decision became necessary considering the spate of banditry in the country.
The ICIR had reported several banditry killings, among other attacks on innocent Nigerians.
“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.
“The money saved from food importation will be used to purchase arms for operations,” the statement reads.
Buhari who was accompanied by Gov. Aminu Masari of Katsina restated federal government’s commitment to ensuring the military gets the required support to restore peace nationwide.
“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.
“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 added.
Olugbenga heads the Investigations Desk at The ICIR. Do you have a scoop? Shoot him an email at oadanikin@icirnigeria.org. Twitter Handle: @OluAdanikin