The recent protests in northern states against the prevalent killings have prompted the presidency to appeal for patience, assuring the residents that the nation’s armed forces are equipped to tackle the challenges of banditry and terrorism.
Residents of Niger and Katsina states took to the streets to demand an end to the activities of bandits in the Northern region of the country.
In a statement released by President Buhari’s media aide Garba Shehu, it was emphasized that the military is taking appropriate measures to thwart the exploitation of gaps leading to violence against innocent citizens.
View this post on InstagramYouths in Katsina state protest incessant kills by bandits in the state. . . . In the peaceful protest they tagged “Stop the Bloodshed”, the youths called on President Buhari who is from the state, to ensure that the killings and violent attacks witnessed in the state is brought to an end.
President Buhari specifically urged indigenes of Katsina not to lose faith in the military, highlighting the armed forces’ strong history in resolving crises given adequate time. He also revealed the identification of major forests in North Western Nigeria as the bandits’ stronghold.
The statement reads;
The Presidency assures Nigerians, again, that the nation’s armed forces are fully capable of dealing with the challenges of banditry and terrorism, urging more patience as the military takes appropriate steps to block gaps being exploited to unleash mayhem on innocent citizens.
President Muhammadu Buhari, who has approved a joint military and police operation specifically targeted at combing Niger, Kaduna, Katsina, Zamfara and Sokoto States to rid the areas of bandits,…..assures that surveillance will be improved, with more night vision aircrafts already deployed under “Operation Accord’’.
The operation was launched three weeks ago. “Nigeria’s military has displayed its capabilities in the past and will show it again by dealing with the current challenges,” the President says.
President Buhari appeals to the people of Katsina State to be patient and supportive of the ongoing military operations in the state, while sympathizing with those who are bereaved, injured and lost properties.
President Buhari admonishes that taking to the streets for protest could distract the military operations, urging “Katsina indigenes not to give up on the military who over the years have a strong track record of quelling crises once given enough time.
“The major forests in North Western Nigeria have been identified as home to the bandits in the region. The operation will clear all these forests,’’ he further said.