Insecurity: Buhari urges Nigerians to give Service Chiefs, security agencies more time

President Muhammadu Buhari has pleaded with Nigerians to give the military and other security agencies more time, cooperation and support and also give them information on bandits and other criminals in order to put an end to insecurity challenges in the country.

The President said he was still committed to securing the lives and property of citizens as he had promised to do before he came to power and therefore pleaded with Nigerians to be more patient with security agencies.

President Buhari in his Christmas Message to Nigerians issued on Thursday by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, said his administration “remain focused on following the complex, multi-dimensional route to reducing the incidents of insecurity to the barest minimum.”

Buhari also urged Nigerians to use Christmas, which he described as “season of goodwill and joy” to renew their faith in the ability of his administration to make a lasting difference in the lives of the people.

He said: “I plead with fellow compatriots to give our military and other security agencies more time, cooperation and support by volunteering credible intelligence/information on activities of armed bandits, insurgents and other criminal elements within their communities in order to put an end to this blight on our security landscape.

“To be sure, the problems are beyond the simplistic options being bandied around. We shall remain focused on following the complex, multi-dimensional route to reducing the incidents of insecurity to the barest minimum. Our people must be free to live and move without let or hindrance. This is crucial not only to enthroning an atmosphere of calm and social cohesion, but for the economy to grow.

“Let us use this season of goodwill and joy to renew our faith in the ability of this Administration to make a lasting difference in the lives of our hard-working people. Our Social Intervention measures and other economic policies are already yielding positive results even at modest rates.

“We shall deliberately target our youths so that they will not fall into the trap of unpatriotic elements to foment social disobedience leading to avoidable loss of lives and property.”

Stressing his commitment to addressing security challenges in Nigeria, President Buhari said Federal Government will continue to provide the needed support and available resources to the gallant members of the armed forces and security agencies to confront threats to Nigerians.

He said: “Under my watch, the Federal Government will continue to provide the needed support within available resources to the gallant members of our armed forces and security agencies as they confront threats to our citizens. While I commend them for their efforts so far, I urge them to do more to checkmate increasing incidents of security threats especially in the northern parts of the country as well as the entire nation in varying degrees. Their display of tact, camaraderie, and expertise that led to the recent return of abducted schoolboys of Government Science Secondary School, Kankara, will remain a milestone in the annals of the country.

“For me, providing security for all residents in the country remains an article of faith. It formed a vital segment of this Administration’s three-point agenda right from inception, and we must follow through with it.

“I cannot in good conscience shirk this cardinal responsibility to secure lives and property. I feel pained each time a breach of peace and security occurs in any part of the nation. I am even more distressed when our youths, especially school children, are the targets and victims of mindless and malevolent elements in the society.”