The Nigerian Government has ruled out the possibility of granting amnesty to bandits, kidnappers and insurgents in the country, with further declaration that it would continue to deal decisively with such criminals.
Penpushing reports that, President Muhammadu Buhari made the declaration while declaring open a joint security meeting of Northern State Governors’ Forum, Northern Traditional Rulers Council and delegation from the federal government in Kaduna State.
The President represented by his Chief of Staff, Ibrahim Gambari pointed out that security challenges confronting the country had slowed down the emancipation of Nigerians from poverty and economic deprivation.
Penpushing further reports that, Buhari disclosed that he had already directed heads of security agencies to develop plans to end criminality in the country against those who constitute a threat to the country and its people.
The President at the meeting emphasised that it was time to treat criminals as criminals and to stop ethnic profiling, stressing that his administration would continue to deal with insurgents, bandits and kidnappers.
“I must appreciate the efforts of the 19 Northern States Governors’ Forum for their contribution towards national growth and development, especially in this challenging period in our nation’s being where certain fundamental corporate existence needs to be frankly deliberated upon and actionable resolutions reached,” the president said.
“This meeting is coming at a time when the nation is making steady progress in addressing the many challenges impeding developmental and progress. We are providing critical infrastructure such as roads, railways, airports among others which are critical to economic prosperity of our people as well as opening up economic opportunities for our citizens to pursue legitimate aspirations that grow the economy.
“At the same time, we are confronting the various dimensions of security challenges that continue to slow down the emancipation of our people from poverty and economic deprivation. The Government shall continue to deal with insurgents, bandits, kidnappers and other criminals who constitute a threat to innocent citizens across the country.
“Criminals are criminals and should be dealt with accordingly, without resorting to ethnic profiling. I have already tasked the new Service Chiefs to devise new strategies that will end this ugly situation where the lives of our people continue to be threatened by hoodlums and criminals.
“I expect that at this meeting, your Forum will also discuss and devise ways of building stronger collaboration with the security architecture and the people in defeating criminality across the region and the nation at large.
“It is pertinent to note that the increased realization of our security, democracy and development indices are inextricably linked. Democracy and rule of law promote stability and in turn reinforce the power to assert freedom and economic progress of our people.”
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