President Muhammadu Buhari has finally admitted the spate of rising insecurity in the land yesterday saying that he was surprised at the current surge of security challenges across the country.
The president’s admittance of rising insecurity marked a significant detour from his established position signifying that insecurity has been severely addressed, a position he had severally canvassed in his previous engagements with Nigerians.
The president added that what is happening across the country is “one evil plan” against Nigeria.
The president who stated this when he received a delegation of senior citizens from Niger State led by Gov. Abubakar Sani Bello at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, on Tuesday, declared that harder times await bandits operating in the country.
He said: “I was taken aback by what is happening in the North West and other parts of the country. During our campaigns, we knew about the Boko Haram. What is coming now is surprising.
“It is not ethnicity or religion, rather it is one evil plan against the country.
“We have to be harder on them. One of the responsibilities of government is to provide security. If we don’t secure the country, we will not be able to manage the economy properly.’’
Speaking on behalf of the guests, the former governor of Niger State, Aliyu Babangida, said activities of bandits had rendered many homeless, while others could no longer go the farms, thanking the President for taking more decisive action by directing aerial protection by the military.
Babangida called on the President to intervene in completion of some federal roads; and also asked for more attention on the Minna airport, which should complement access to the FCT.
