Buhari Says Insecurity In North-West Surprising, Asks The Elite To Be ‘More Understanding’

President Buhari has appealed to the nation’s elite to show a
better appreciation of the problems facing the country and better
understand the military.

Speaking to reporters at the presidential villa, Abuja shortly
after observing the Eid prayer on Thursday, he said that military
equipment that are ordered takes time to arrived and be deployed
for action.

The president said: “The elite should make the attempt to
understand the military. If we order weapons and armoured vehicles,
it takes time for the manufacturers. It takes time to ship them and
when brought here eventually, they are taken to training
institutions, train the trainers before sending them to the field.
This is a very long process.”

The president also appealed to Nigerians for more understanding
of the current situation in the country saying: “I expect Nigerians
to be more understanding on the issues involved, looking at the
time and available resources.

“For example, when we came in, in the North-East, ask people in
Adamawa and Borno States and the South-South in terms of security.
Without security, you can’t do anything.

“Our big surprise and disappointment is what is happening in the
North-West and we are dealing with it.”

President Buhari pledged that his administration will use all
available resources and manpower in dealing with bandits to ensure
that they did not create havoc against access to farms and food
production in the coming growing season.

He emphasised that the menace of bandits and kidnappers will be
addressed to ensure that the nation’s food security is not
threatened.

The President, who hoped for a good rainy season this year said
“the law enforcement agencies are working hard to regain confidence
against bandits so that we can go back to the land. This is very
important. This is what the agencies are busy doing right now. We
want people to go back to the land so that we can get enough food
for the country and even export.”

Explaining ongoing efforts to tackle the security situation in
the country by the administration, President Buhari drew attention
to the series of long meetings held in recent weeks, chaired by
him, saying that a part of resolutions had been made public by the
National Security Adviser and the others kept secret.

“With the resources and manpower available to us, we are working
very hard. We are hoping Nigerians will understand the problem.
Nigerians know at what stage we came in in 2015, what state we are
today both on security and the economy and we are doing our
best.”

According to a statement issued by Garba Shehu, Senior Special
Assistant to the President (Media & Publicity), the president
commended the National Assembly for its support, saying: “The
National Assembly is cooperating very well. Within the resources
available, they are certainly giving us priority on our (military)
requests.”

The statement said the President Buhari and members of his
family were joined for the Eid at the forecourt of the villa by the
President of the Senate, Dr Ahmed Lawan, the Speaker, House of
Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, cabinet members and the heads
of security and intelligence agencies.

President Buhari has appealed to the nation’s elite to show a
better appreciation of the problems facing the country and better
understand the military.

Speaking to reporters at the presidential villa, Abuja shortly
after observing the Eid prayer on Thursday, he said that military
equipment that are ordered takes time to arrived and be deployed
for action.

The president said: “The elite should make the attempt to
understand the military. If we order weapons and armoured vehicles,
it takes time for the manufacturers. It takes time to ship them and
when brought here eventually, they are taken to training
institutions, train the trainers before sending them to the field.
This is a very long process.”

The president also appealed to Nigerians for more understanding
of the current situation in the country saying: “I expect Nigerians
to be more understanding on the issues involved, looking at the
time and available resources.

“For example, when we came in, in the North-East, ask people in
Adamawa and Borno States and the South-South in terms of security.
Without security, you can’t do anything.

“Our big surprise and disappointment is what is happening in the
North-West and we are dealing with it.”

President Buhari pledged that his administration will use all
available resources and manpower in dealing with bandits to ensure
that they did not create havoc against access to farms and food
production in the coming growing season.

He emphasised that the menace of bandits and kidnappers will be
addressed to ensure that the nation’s food security is not
threatened.

The President, who hoped for a good rainy season this year said
“the law enforcement agencies are working hard to regain confidence
against bandits so that we can go back to the land. This is very
important. This is what the agencies are busy doing right now. We
want people to go back to the land so that we can get enough food
for the country and even export.”

Explaining ongoing efforts to tackle the security situation in
the country by the administration, President Buhari drew attention
to the series of long meetings held in recent weeks, chaired by
him, saying that a part of resolutions had been made public by the
National Security Adviser and the others kept secret.

“With the resources and manpower available to us, we are working
very hard. We are hoping Nigerians will understand the problem.
Nigerians know at what stage we came in in 2015, what state we are
today both on security and the economy and we are doing our
best.”

According to a statement issued by Garba Shehu, Senior Special
Assistant to the President (Media & Publicity), the president
commended the National Assembly for its support, saying: “The
National Assembly is cooperating very well. Within the resources
available, they are certainly giving us priority on our (military)
requests.”

The statement said the President Buhari and members of his
family were joined for the Eid at the forecourt of the villa by the
President of the Senate, Dr Ahmed Lawan, the Speaker, House of
Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, cabinet members and the heads
of security and intelligence agencies.