Buhari condemns latest Sokoto bandit killings

President Muhammadu Buhari has condemned latest bandit attacks in Gandi District of Rabah Local Government Council, Sokoto State, which reportedly claimed 30 people.

According to a statement issued in Abuja on Tuesday by Garba Shehu, Senior Special Assistant to the President (Media & Publicity),

President Buhari said that he was shocked and saddened by the latest violence which he described as “utterly evil, callous, reckless, thoughtless and reprehensible.”

It quoted Buhari as saying: “The persistent killing of innocent and defenceless villagers by murderous thugs is unacceptable, and my administration is leaving no stone unturned to track down these mass murderers and bring them to justice.”

According to the statement, President Buhari gave a firm instruction to the new Acting Inspector General of Police, Adamu Mohammed, to quickly bring on board joint operations that will rid the country of all forms of criminal activity.

It said that the President has also approved meetings between security and Defence officials from Nigeria and neighbouring Niger Republic for joint operations that will sweep the forests.

ALSO READ: Presidency promises timely release of Ecological Fund

President Buhari assured the people of Sokoto and other areas affected by banditry that his administration’s commitment to security “remains undiminished” and that “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 to perform the task effectively,’’ he added.

While consoling the families of the victims, President Buhari reassured the people that “criminals won’t be allowed to hold the citizens to ransom and that poverty is no excuse for any group to take up arms against innocent people and kill them in cold blood.”

The President said that he will ensure the murderers, who are already in police custody, are speedily prosecuted in order to send a clear message that nobody will get away with such heinous crimes.

President Buhari called on state and local governments to stop their holier-than-thou attitude and ensure the mass mobilization of all citizens to assist security agents, noting that security is everybody’s business.