Be ‘Ruthless’ Against Bandits, Buhari Tells Police, Army; Promises Security Improvement

President Muhammadu Buhari has said that he has given the military and police a marching order to be ruthless on bandits in the North-west and North-central zones.

The president stated this in an interview on Arise TV, aired Thursday morning.

The president’s comment comes amidst the rise in the activities of bandits in some states in the two zones.

Thousands of persons, including students, have been kidnapped for ransom in different states in the zones.

These have made many farmers desert their farms. Some others negotiate with the bandits to go to their farms.

In the interview, the president said Nigerians will see the difference in the activities of the security agents.

He said the country cannot afford another famine that could arise if the activities of the bandits are not checked.

“People of the same culture killing each other, stealing each other’s cattle, as I said, we are going to treat them in a language they understand.

“We are going to give the police and the military power to be ruthless and you watch it, in a few weeks time, they will be different.

“If we keep people away from their farms, we are going to starve and the government cannot control the public if we allow hunger (inaudible) the whole society; then we are going to be in trouble and we don’t want to be in trouble, we are already in enough trouble. Sooner or later, you will see the difference,” the president said.