Buhari says no amnesty for bandits, insurgents

President Muhammadu Buhari has ruled out granting amnesty to bandits and insurgents in the quest to end their killings, kidnappings and other forms of criminality in the country.

Indeed, the President described them as criminals, adding that his administration would continue to deal with those constituting a threat to the security of the nation.

Buhari spoke on Thursday through his Chief of Staff, Prof Ibrahim Gambari, during the joint security meeting of Northern State Governors’ Forum and traditional rulers.

He said the country was battling with different dimensions of security challenges, adding that he had asked the new service chiefs to devise new strategies to end the ugly situation.

Buhari said criminality should be handled without resorting to ethnic profiling.

“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 need to be frankly deliberated upon and actionable resolutions reached,” Buhari said.

He also 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.”