The President Muhammadu Buhari Tuesday in Abuja, said his government had given the military “full freedom” to end the insecurity in the country which he described as “madness, while also seeking for the assistance of the international community in the campaign against terrorism and banditry the country.
The president made this call to the military in reaction to the recent terror attacks in three states of the north; Kaduna, Plateau and Sokoto.
This was contained in a statement titled, ‘President Buhari condemns barbaric attacks in Kaduna, Plateau and Sokoto states, condoles bereaved families,’ signed by the President’s Senior Special Assistant, Garba Shehu, .
Responding to the unfortunate incidents on Tuesday, the President said “We have given security forces full freedom to deal with, and bring to end this madness.”
According to Shehu, the President reviewed the situation following reports on the loss of several lives in the attacks, and vowed to provide all possible support from the federal government to the states.
“I condemn these barbaric attacks on the country. I wish to assure the states of all possible support from the government of the federation. My thoughts are with the bereaved families. May the injured recover quickly,” said the President
Meanwhile, in a related but separate event Buhari while receiving Letters of Credence of Canadian High Commissioner to Nigeria, Ambassador James Kingston Christoff and his counterpart, Ambassador of Mexico to Nigeria, Juan Alfred Miranda Oritz on Tuesday at presidential villa cal;l;ed on the international; community to assist Nigeria in the fight against terrorism.
“I believe that matters of security have become the business of all nations as these challenges go beyond the abilities of any single country to effectively contain. The world must, therefore, work closely together and Nigeria counts on your support in cementing the relations between our countries at both bilateral and multilateral levels to surmount these global threats to civilization,” Buhari said.
The President also told the diplomats that successes in taming insecurity had been recorded through collaboration across borders, adding that more could be achieved.
He said, “The devastating effect of global insecurity, climate change and the post COVID-19 era has devastated global economies. Nations continue to struggle to recover from these multiple global challenges.
“The ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine has undermined the progress countries have achieved in tackling food security in the last decade. While the political instability in Libya continues to fuel terrorism in the Sahel, as well as scuttle democratic sustenance in both West and Central African regions.
“Nigeria is not left out of the equation, as we are fighting to rid our country of banditry, kidnapping, herder/farmer crisis and insurgency. We are, however, making meaningful progress with the support of friendly countries like yours to sustain these fights until we overcome these challenges.”
– Buhari, in the same vein, urged the diplomats to monitor political developments in the country leading to the 2023 elections, saying they should remain true to their professional ethics of non-interference.
“The task before you require you both to build on the successes of your predecessors and further make efforts in the expansion and advancement of the cordial bilateral relations and cooperation between Nigeria and your respective countries. These relations as you all know, span across political, socio-economic and cultural spheres, that have overtime benefitted our peoples.
“I am confident that, in carrying out your diplomatic responsibilities in the course of your tour of duties, you will spare time to appreciate the uniqueness and strength in our country’s cultural diversities, in terms of both human and natural resources, as well as the flora and fauna across the country,’’ the President noted.
In his remarks, on behalf of the ambassadors, the Canadian High Commissioner thanked Buhari for receiving them.
“Today marks formal beginning of our engagement with the government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. We will work closely with ministers and officials to start a progressive relationship,’’ Christoff said.