I’ll Not Tolerate Human Rights Abuse By Security Agencies – President Buhari Warns

BY VICTOR BUORO, ABUJA – President Muhammadu Buhari has assured that his administration would not tolerate any human rights abuse by our security agencies as the government focus on protecting lives and properties.

President Buhari, who gave the warning today in a national address to the Nation on the lockdown in the FCT, Lagos and Ogun States, expressed regrets over the few reported incidences and vowed that the culprits would be brought to justice.

He said that while Security Agencies continue to rise to the challenge posed by this unusual situation, the government feel deeply concerned about isolated security incidents and assured all Nigerians that their safety and security remain the administration’s primary concern especially in these difficult and uncertain times.

Buhari urged Nigerians to continue to cooperate and show understanding whenever they encounter security agents.

He further said; “For their protection, I have instructed that the personnel of all the security agencies be provided with the necessary personal protective equipment against infection.”

The President said that as the Federal Government continue to streamline its response in the centres of Lagos and the FCT, he is gravely concerned about the unfortunate developments in Kano in recent days, saying that although an in-depth investigation is still on-going, the Federal Government has decided to deploy additional manpower, material and technical resources to strengthen and support the State Government’s efforts, with immediate effect.

President Buhari said; “In Kano, and indeed many other States that are recording new cases, preliminary findings show that such cases are mostly from interstate travel and emerging community transmission.

“Drawing from these, I implore all Nigerians to continue to adhere strictly to the advisories published by the Presidential Task Force and the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control.

“These include regular hand washing, physical distancing, wearing of face masks/coverings in public, avoidance of non-essential movement and travels and avoidance of large gatherings.”

He also said that several new fully equipped treatment and isolation centres have been operationalised across the country thereby increasing bed capacity to about three thousand.

The President commended the State Governors for the activation of State-level Emergency Operation Centres, establishment of new treatment centres and the delivery of aggressive risk communication strategies.