President Muhammadu Buhari has claimed that the violence that has ravaged Nigeria, especially recently, is instigated by a handful of influential persons with resources.
This firm position by the president is contained in a statement issued by one of his media aides, Femi Adesina, which was read at the reception of a delegation of Borno/Yobe elders forum at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
He assured stakeholders that the culprits will be identified and dealt with in due course.
According to a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, the President spoke while receiving a delegation of Borno/Yobe Elders Forum at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
The statement was titled “We need this country, we will continue to work for its stability, says President Buhari.”
Adesina quoted the President as saying that “I am confident that we will eventually convince the small number of people with resource and influence that are a nuisance to this great country.
“God willing, we will identify them, and deal with them. I am extremely concerned about your constituency like the rest of the country.”
Buhari was also quoted as saying that the stability of the country was of paramount interest to him and the Federal Government.
“We need this country. We will continue to work for its stability. I feel that whatever happens, we will continue to make it, and will keep on praying to God so that for those who feel that they don’t need Nigeria, we will succeed over their intentions and actions, the President said.
Buhari noted the request for the upgrade and development of infrastructure in the states and assured his guests that while he would do his best in acceding to the requests, he would, however, prioritise development in education.
“We are aware of the infrastructure deficit. Our priorities will be education because all our citizens know that children within a certain age must receive it otherwise if they miss it, the future is destroyed,” he said.
He expressed appreciation to the leaders for coming to terms with the positive improvement that has occurred in the states since the inception of the administration.
The statement also quoted the Governor of Borno State, Prof Babagana Zulum, as saying that the leaders were in Abuja to thank the President for the tremendous improvement in their states and to intimate him with some of the prevailing socio-economic conditions.
Meanwhile, Bauchi State government has put forward an explanation on the statement of Governor Bala Mohammed justifying Fulani herders carrying AK-47 for self-defence.
In a statement on Sunday, February 14, Muktar Gidado, a senior special assistant on media, said the comment of the principal was misunderstood.
The statement explained that the governor’s reference to AK-47 was to put in perspective, the predicament of Fulani herdsmen who, while carrying out their legitimate cow-rearing business, have become serial victims of cattle rustling, banditry, kidnapping and assassination.
Instigating? What about the cause? Again, let me understand, who are the victims of banditry and kidnappings? Then, where are the bandits and kidnappers hiding in our forests?