Security: We Can’t Return To Days Of Widespread Banditry, Says Buhari

The President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), Sunday in Abuja, said the Northwest must not be allowed to relapse into days when bandits roamed free and unleashed mayhem on the people.

This is as he commended the military for the continued onslaught on terrorist elements in the region, especially Zamfara State, which has been a hotbed of criminal activity.

He also urged the armed forces not to show any letup as they continue to achieve positive outcomes based on their current operational trajectory in the Northwest.

According to a statement signed on Sunday by Buhari’s Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, the President noted although there appears to be calm in Zamfara State (with situations returning to normal in most parts and the rural communities ready to live their lives normally again) there had been several security breaches as bandits attacked Damri, Sabongarin Damri and Kalahe villages in Bakura Local Government Area, and lately, Maradun.

The statement titled ‘Armed forces to continue along the current positive trajectory in the northwest, particularly in Zamfara, as president Buhari commends military,’ quoted the Commander-in-Chief saying “We mustn’t allow the return of days when the bandits had a free hand to do as they wished. The rural folk in Zamfara and elsewhere must be allowed to have peace.”

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He directed that the “momentum that has been developed must be sustained in order to bring closure to the activities of these murderers.”

Buhari equally expressed condolences to the families of the victims as well as the government and people of the State, adding that the combined efforts of the Federal and State governments must do all that can be done to bring an immediate end to the horrific killings.