•••THEY USE CAPTIVES AS HUMAN SHIELDS— BUHARI
•••ASSURES FAMILIES OF SAFE RETURN OF CAPTIVES
President Muhammadu Buhari, on Monday, disclosed that the difficulty in rescuing the kidnapped victims of the Abuja-Kaduna train attack victims one month after the attack was because the bandits are using the victims as shields.
But the President assured families that efforts are being intensified to ensure safe return of all those being held by terrorists.
He ordered the security agencies and the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) to provide more regular and detailed information to the families of the captives.
Buhari who made the declaration while receiving some FCT residents at the State House on Sallah homage stated that the government would explore every opportunity to secure the captives, alive and unhurt.
“As we celebrate this occasion with joy amidst friends and family members, we are fully conscious of the fact that many families in our country are in a state of fear and anxiety on account of the many captives held by terrorists against their will, including those taken away after the tragic bombing of the Abuja – Kaduna train.
“I have directed security agencies to ensure quick and safe recovery of all victims of kidnapping. I urge the railway management to immediately set up a situation room for the coordination of the rescue mission and for a minute by minute engagement with the families of the captives.
“This should ease their pain and anxiety as we push the military to finding a safe return to their families. My aim is to see all those in captivity safely rescued.
“Let me assure Nigerians that the bandits are just pushing their luck, but this is only for a while before they are finally crushed. They are using civilians as human shields, thereby making it difficult to confront them directly,” he said.
Buhari added that the bandits and terrorists, unlike professional soldiers, have no respect for human life and don’t respect the rules of engagement disclosing that they could resort to harming hostages when attacked.
“They don’t care about killing their hostages if they come under attack. It’s a delicate situation that requires wisdom, caution and also patience. Any rescue operation that results in the death of any hostage cannot be deemed a success.
“The government doesn’t want this kind of tragic outcome. It’s a complex situation that demands proper handling. The primary objective of any rescue operation is to free the hostages safely, unharmed and alive.
“Let me make it clear, however, that defeating the terrorists and bandits requires more than weapons; we also need human intelligence which is necessary to frustrate terrorist plans. The people and community leaders should help our security officials with information about the activities or movements of criminal groups,” he added.
The President Buhari called on Nigerians to make criminals uncomfortable by not harbouring them in the communities stressing that, “by protecting criminals from exposure, you are endangering your own security and the security of your own community.
“No criminal can thrive in an environment where he faces the risks of exposure by the people.” The President stated.
He called for stronger coporation between security agencies and communities in the fight against terrorism, which he observed would make a huge difference in defeating the menace in the country.
“This administration has allocated huge resources to improve the capacity of our security forces by timely giving them adequate equipment and improving the welfare of personnel to boost their morale.
“Abuja has witnessed remarkable improvements in terms of security. In the past terrorists had made it almost impossible to conduct our normal lives. Road barricades had overrun the capital city and people had to pray in fear because of the anxiety of terrorist attacks. No place in FCT was beyond the terrorist. Not the United Nations building, nor the Police Headquarters.
“But today, the situation is no longer so. We have significantly weakened and crippled the capabilities of the Boko Haram terrorists so much that they no longer have the ability to seize, and occupy any Nigerian territory without being repelled by our gallant troops.
“Of course, we can’t say that the terrorists are one hundred percent destroyed, but we have destroyed their ability to seize our territory. This improvement in terms of significantly weakening the enemy is necessary for finally defeating them.
“The rate at which the terrorists are giving up their weapons and surrendering to our troops is a significant and welcome development,” he told FCT residents.
A statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, said the President commended the FCT Minister, Mohammed Musa Bello for diligently ensuring the capital city stays safe and attractive, while thanking the FCT residents for visiting the Presidential Villa.
“It’s my pleasure to welcome you all to the presidential villa. As is the tradition, people pay homage to the President as part of the events to mark the Sallah celebration.
“I value these kinds of visits because they afford me the opportunity to interact directly with the people or their representatives. I commend the FCT residents for living in peace and harmony for years since the capital officially came into being,” the President said.
The statement further reads that the President Buhari noted that the welfare of the people of Abuja and all Nigerians remains paramount to his administration.
“The physical development of Abuja and the provisions of infrastructure is our priority. Since the coming of this administration into power, we have made the completion of abandoned and ongoing projects our priority.
“For Abuja to attract investors as its population expands exponentially, the provision of infrastructure is essential. A Federal Capital should answer its name and it cannot do so if it lacks the necessary infrastructure to accommodate and accelerate development.
“Abuja has expanded beyond the imagination of even its planners. This expansion comes with great challenges. In line with its objectives to transform Abuja into a befitting modern city, the FCT administration under the Minister, Mohammed Musa Bello, has been doing a great job,” he added.
