President Muhammadu Buhari says security chiefs have received instructions to clampdown on criminals, including the shooting of anyone found illegally in possession of arms.
The President said this during a meeting with the National Council of Traditional Rulers of Nigeria at the State House. The council is co-chaired by the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, and the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi.
The meeting was attended by security chiefs including the National Security Adviser, retired Major-General Babagana Monguno, Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, the Director-General, Department of State Services, Yusuf Bichi, and the Director-General, National Intelligence Agency (NIA), Ambassador Ahmed Rufai Abubakar.
The President, who briefed the meeting with efforts by the government to improve the security situation in the country, said his administration has recorded appreciable successes in the North-east and South-South of the country.
The President in a statement by his special adviser on media and publicity Femi Adesina, expressed dismay over the attacks on police stations and killing of security personnel by criminals, warning that no investor will invest in a country that is unsafe.
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President Buhari stressed the need for traditional rulers to use their roles and positions as bridge builders in each of their communities to complement government efforts at ensuring peace and security.
He appealed to the traditional leaders to deploy their reach and influence in assisting the Government to root out persons bent on causing destruction of livelihoods and families across the nation.
In separate remarks, the royal fathers stressed the need for the traditional institution to be assigned definite roles, particularly on peace and security, within the ambits of the Constitution as well as regular engagement with the National Assembly on multiple fronts.
Editor-Oloyede Oworu