NORTH WEST: Criminals terrorising innocent people will be history, President Buhari assures, vows not to relent in military operations
*Condemns Zamfara villages’ attacks, killings by fleeing bandits
By BASHIR ADEFAKA
“In keeping with my commitment to tackle the monster of terrorism head on, let me reassure these besieged communities and other Nigerians that this government will not abandon them to their fate because we are more than ever determined to get rid of these outlaws. These criminals will be history because we are not going to relent in our current military operations to get rid of these thugs who have been terrorising innocent people.”
President of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari, while expressing outrage at the latest reports of several villagers being massacred by escaping bandits in Zamfara State, the nation’s North West geopolitical zone, has reassured that the criminals terrorising innocent people in the zone will become history.
He said this, even as he vowed that his government “will not relent in” the ongoing military operations, which heat on the bandits make them flee although they unfortunately launch attacks as they run away.
Reacting to reports of the large-scale killings, President Buhari said:
“The latest attacks on innocent people by the bandits is an act of desperation by mass murderers, now under relentless pressure from our military forces who are well equipped to effectively confront these enemies of humanity.
“In keeping with my commitment to tackle the monster of terrorism head on, let me reassure these besieged communities and other Nigerians that this government will not abandon them to their fate because we are more than ever determined to get rid of these outlaws.
“These criminals will be history because we are not going to relent in our current military operations to get rid of these thugs who have been terrorising innocent people.”
In a statement issued in Abuja, dated Saturday 8 January, 2022 and sent to The DEFENDER by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Malam Garba Shehu, President Buhari appealed to the affected communities for patience, saying “we are fiercely determined to smoke out and destroy these outlaws who have no regard for the sanctity of life.”
While extending his sympathy to the survivors and families of those killed, President Buhari said that “the army and the air force are working together to get rid of these callous criminals as they acquire more equipment to track down and eliminate criminal gangs that are subjecting innocent people to the reign of terror, including illegal imposition of taxes on the communities under siege.”
President Buhari was speaking on a day Governor of Zamfara State, Hon. Mohammed Bello Matawallen Maradun, visited the scenes of crimes to assess the situation and sympathise with victims of the attacks in Anka and Bukkuyum local government areas.
Governor Matawalle, who was told by emirs of the two emirates 58 died in the sad incidents, said: “It is also obvious that my administration is not only threatened by bandits in the bush but also political bandits in our towns and villages.
“These are those politicians who manipulate the crisis for political gains and the informants who aid the bandits in their nefarious activities. But we shall conquer all by the strength of the Almighty Allah,” he assured.
The Shattiman Sokoto then announced that the state government would, henceforth, treat those who report deliberate lies about bandits escapades as terrorists as well.
“We cannot fold our arms and allow people to always create panick and paint gorier picture of actual happenings in the state. We are faced with a big trial which we are doing our best to address.
“There is no justification for anyone to wish us deeper trouble than where our people are today”, Governor Matawalle warned.
