Joseph Bakare
In his usual directive, President Muhammadu Buhari has again ordered security chiefs to identify and crush heads of bandits, kidnappers and their local collaborators to restore confidence in the society
Buhari gave the order when he met the security chiefs at the State House, Abuja, on Tuesday, March 30.
The National Security Adviser (NSA), retired Maj.-Gen. Babagana Monguno, said the president gave the order when he met the security chiefs in Abuja.
Monguno, while briefing the media at the end of the meeting, said the president would not accept a situation where the security agencies are reactionary rather than being proactive in the fight against insurgents, bandits and other criminal elements.
“On issues of kidnapping and banditry – these menaces still persist especially in the North West and the North Central zones.
”Mr President has stated very clearly that this problem must be brought to an end; but using the traditional that the armed forces have been trained to deploy.
”Mr President has made it very clear to both the intelligence and operational elements; that their first assignment will be to identify the leaders of these bandits and 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 where bandits and kidnappers are the ones dictating the pace; and setting the tones and he will not also condone a situation in which our own operations are reaction rather than being proactive,’’ he said.
The NSA also revealed that Buhari had directed the Service Chiefs the intelligence community; as well as the constabulary forces to target those agents of disunity across the country.
He said such people had been creating chaos, disunity and disharmony among peace-loving citizens.
He said: “I’m also to send out a warning to those people; who think they can continue to behave in a manner that undermines national security.
“Those people engaging in all kinds of underhanded, unscrupulous, mischievous and deceitful practices; people who are working with those that are in government, in particular, critical agencies of government.”