Banditry: Buhari Okays Joint Ops With Niger Rep
BY SEGUN ADEBAYO, ABUJA – President Muhammadu Buhari has approved joint meetings and operations of security and defence officials from Nigeria and neighbouring Niger Republic to sweep the forests along their boundaries and rid Nigeria of bandits.
He also directed the Acting Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mr Mohammed Adamu Lafia, to quickly put in place joint operational teams to free the country of crimes and criminality.
The President, who condemned the latest attacks by bandits in Sokoto state, described killings as “utterly evil, callous, reckless, thoughtless and reprehensible”.
Speaking in a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Malam Garba Shehu, in Abuja on Tuesday, President Buhari expressed shock and sadness over the latest violence in the state.
According to him, “the persistent killing of innocent and defenceless villagers by murderous thugs is unacceptable”, adding; “My administration is leaving no stone unturned to track down these mass murderers and bring them to justice,
He also assured the people of Sokoto and other areas affected by banditry that his administration’s commitment to security “remains undiminished and efforts are being made to improve intelligence gathering and rapid emergency response strategies”.
“Let me reassure the people of Sokoto State and other parts of the country facing security challenges that no citizen will be abandoned to their fate.
“Security occupies the centre stage of my administration’s policies, and this commitment is being pursued with more vigour as we make efforts to provide more equipment to our security personnel to enable them perform the task effectively.”
Reports said no fewer than 30 persons had been killed in the attack which took place in Gandi District of Rabah Local government.
