By Mohammed Mohammed
The Federal Government on Sunday said terrorists modus operandi, using propaganda and violence to force governments to accept or submit to political demands is not new all over world.
This is coming even as President Muhammadu Buhari, sympathised with former Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Chairman, Alhaji Adamu Muazu, over the killing of his brother and abduction of his sister by bandits.
Mallam Shehu Garba, Senior Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to President Muhammadu Buhari, in a statement, argued that the country’s security and defense forces are not clueless or helpless.
Apparently reacting to the torture of the Kaduna train kidnapped victims since March which has gone viral on social coupled with the heightened and senseless killings of innocent citizens which are on the increase, Garba, said the military have their plans and ways of doing things which they will not display in the media.
According to him, the dilemmas in dealing with the specific case of train terrorists are manifold: punitive action like the popular call for carpet bombing of the known locations may assuage the desire of an angry public for revenge, but what about the hostages? They have committed no offense. All they did was to board a train, he added.
“It suffices to say that the security forces are not relenting. They are acutely aware of their duties, responsibilities and what the nation expects of them. Whenever they embark upon those actions, they expect that the public should provide them with the needed support.
“Terrorism is a global scourge that must be fought by all actors – the military, the civilian population and the communication service providers. This is the only way safe havens of terrorists are eliminated in every part of the world.”
To help the nation against ongoing situation, he said, the media must increase their support for the fight against the exploitation of the internet and social media for terrorist purposes.
“The presidency, in the meantime wishes to reassure the public that the President has done all, and even more than what is expected of him as Commander-in-Chief by way of morale, material and equipment support to the military and expects nothing short of good results in the immediate.
Buhari Sympathises with Former PDP National Chairman Muazu over Killing of Brother, Abduction of Sister
Meanwhile, Buhari on Sunday has sympathised with former PDP National Chairman, Alhaji Adamu Muazu, over the killing of his brother and abduction of his sister by bandits.
“I am shocked and outraged by the story of the killing of your brother and the abduction of your sister by bandits. This double tragedy is particularly moving. I know it’s hard to cope with the weight of this tragedy in your family. I feel your pain.
“Let me use this opportunity to re-assure you and other Nigerians currently facing threats from the atrocities of the bandits that I will leave no stone unturned to ensure these enemies of humanity are finally crushed and decisively defeated.” President Buhari, said.
Security, according to President Buhari, remains his constant concern, adding: “… I have kept the service chiefs on their toes to ensure that they come up with a decisive solution to end this menace.”
Signed: Mallam Garba Shehu, Senior Special Assistant to the President, (Media & Publicity