President Muhammad Buhari has explained why the Federal Government has restrained from deploying massive force against bandits disturbing the peace of the nation.
According to the Presidency, the fear of heavy casualties in the innocent villages where the bandits hide has hindered its use of massive force.
In a report by the President, he said:
“We have the capacity to deploy massive force against the bandits in the villages where they operate, but our limitation is the fear of heavy casualties of innocent villagers and hostages who might be used as human shields by the bandits.”
He added that, “a hostage crisis is a complex situation that requires maximum patience in order to protect the victims from physical harm or even brutal death at the hands of their captors.”
Also, the Presidency has reacted to the continuous ransome given to bandits who have continually wreak havoc in some parts of the country.
The President warned that “bandits, kidnappers and terrorists not to entertain any illusions that they are more powerful than the government.”
“They shouldn’t mistake our restraint for the humanitarian goals of protecting innocent lives as a weakness or a sign of fear or irresolution.
“Let me say this again: We will not succumb to blackmail by bandits and criminals who target innocent school students in the expectation of huge ransom payments,” He added.
