On Tuesday, President Muhammadu Buhari reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to fighting terrorists and bandits who have been placing their knees on Nigerians’ necks.
At the Citizens Summit for National Integration, Peace, and Security, which was held in Abuja under the subject “Reopen Conversation, Rebuild Trust,” and organised by the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), Buhari provided the guarantee.
Buhari told Nigerians that, in the same way that his administration had effectively dealt with the seemingly intractable farmers-herders conflict, it would also do the same with terrorists and bandits. Buhari was represented by the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed.
They will no longer be able to conduct their fatal attacks and kidnappings as our security forces pursue them. Our nation will once again experience peace and security, and our unity will grow.
He urged the institute to speak out against those who are fueling the flames of division and strife in the nation using its potent platform.
“We have directed the military to crush those terrorising our citizens, peace and security are gradually being restored to the country.
“In the past couple of days, you must have heard about the number of terrorists neutralized by the military, and number of hostages freed,” Buhari said.
The president said that these efforts will not stop, or reduce, adding “We must take the fight to the terrorists and demonstrate that there is no hiding place for them within the borders of our country.
“Each one of them will be hunted, and pursued and spoken to in the language that they understand,” he added.
Buhari, who commended gallant men and women in uniform, appealed to all compatriots to continue to support them in their onerous task of keeping the country safe.
“We must also realize that security is the business of everyone, hence the tagline ‘if you see something, say something.
“Terrorists or bandits are not spirits. They are human beings and they reside in our communities.
“They must all be exposed and crushed for peace to reign,” he said
“In recent times, in particular, the issues of peace and security have been on the lips of many Nigerians, against the backdrop of rampaging terrorists, bandits and kidnappers.
“This crisis of insecurity has, unfortunately, been exacerbated by the twin evil of fake news and misinformation.
He claimed that false information and fake news are escalating instability, increasing citizen anxiety, and demoralising security agencies.
“In this regard, let me provide a few recent cases of false information and fake news.
“On August 10, the Kaduna State Government had to debunk an online report claiming that hundreds of bandits had laid a siege on the Kaduna-Zaria road.
“The widely circulated message even advised travellers not to enter or leave Zaria due to the presence of bandits at Dumbi and Jaji along the Zaria road.
“Imagine the apprehension and disruption of plans that this fake news could have caused.
“Imagine its impact on the security agencies who are doing everything, including paying the ultimate price, to keep us safe.”
The institute’s president, Malam Mukhtar Sirajo, stated that the work of reconstructing Nigeria is extremely difficult and time-consuming.
He said that the institute was prepared to work along with the government and other well-intentioned Nigerians to move the process along logically.
“The institute holds that for a country like Nigeria, which God has endowed with exceptional people and resources, no sacrifice is too great.
Because of this, Sirajo continued, “We challenge government organisations and individuals to always put Nigeria before their own and any other interests.”
Jerry Gana, a former minister of information, Sen. Ibrahim Shekarau, a former governor of Kano State, Rep. Ado Doguwa, and others were there.
