Buhari asks Defence Headquarters to respond robustly to cases of killings, kidnappings by bandits in Niger

Abiodun OBA

President Muhammadu Buhari has directed the Defence Headquarters to respond robustly to cases of killings and kidnappings by bandits in Niger and to give effect to strategic objectives through the use of force.

Malam Garba Shehu, the President’s spokesman, revealed this in a statement on Sunday in Abuja.

The President stated that military operations had become necessary to check the continued attacks on communities in Niger by bandits and remnants of Boko Haram terrorists fleeing theaters of war in the Northwestern and Northeastern parts of the country.

In a message to the government and people of Niger, the president said:

”I will like to express sincere sympathies to the government and people of the state following recent security incidents.

”The Federal Government is willing to strengthen support and cooperation with all the states.

”I believe that with the full cooperation of citizens, we will surely overcome this problem.”

According to him, security is a responsibility of every member of the community, and ”only through solidarity and cooperation with law enforcement agencies can we defeat the problems finally.”