Buhari orders service chiefs to take out bandits and their sponsors

The National Security Adviser (NSA), Babagana Monguno, on Tuesday, cited President Muhammadu Buhari as ordering the service chiefs to take out the bandits and kidnappers as well as their sponsors.

Monguno disclosed to State House reporters that Buhari delivered the order at a meeting he had with the service chiefs at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

He cited the President as declaring that a state where the armed forces are conservative rather than being active will no longer be accepted.

The President met with the service chiefs before his trip to London for routine medical check-up.

Monguno said, “On the issues of kidnapping and banditry, this menace still persists, especially in the North West and the North-Central zones.

“Mr President has been very emphatic. He has stated clearly that this problem must be brought to an end, but using the traditional methods that the armed forces have been trained to deploy.

“Mr President has made it very clear to both the intelligence and operational elements that the first assignment will be to identify the leaders of these bandits, kidnappers and take them out, in order to restore confidence in those areas.

“Mr President has said that he will no longer tolerate a situation whereby bandits and kidnappers are the ones dictating the pace and setting the tone and he will not also condone a situation in which our own operations are reactionary rather than being proactive.

“He has also indicated his willingness to provide all the resources required by our own troops in order to put down these criminals. They must be brought down with all the ruthlessness that is required and whoever is working in collaboration with them will be brought to book.”

The NSA disclosed that Buhari chose to call for the emergency meeting with the security chiefs after separate meetings that he had with governors from the North West and North Central zones and also the one he had with the Chairman of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum, Kayode Fayemi, on security challenges.

He stated that the reports Buhari had received from service chiefs following their current nomination uncovered the necessity for him to look further into specific aspects that required to be taken care of.

Monguno declared that while Buhari was intrigued by the new service chiefs began their task with all the operational visits they have made to the theatre, the President is going to consider issues brought up with the resolution they need.

As indicated by him, the President further said with gladness that with the recent change of service chiefs, there is currently a transformed strength and readiness on the part of all the operational components to collaborate.