President Muhammadu Buhari on Saturday expressed his happiness for how long-suffering citizens have been coping with difficult times under his watch, noting that such resilience represents “the indefatigable Can Do Spirit’’ of Nigerians.
The president said such virtue had so far made it possible for the nation to survive as one geo-political entity in spite of a good number of testy challenges that would have destroyed other nations.
“In the last two years we have witnessed and overcome a good number of testy challenges that would have destroyed other nations, especially relating to our collective security,” Mr Buhari expressed in a nationwide broadcast in commemoration of the 2021 Democracy Day in Abuja on Saturday.
“The indefatigable CAN DO Spirit of the Nigerian has sustained us and would keep pushing us to put these challenges behind us.”
He, however, noted with concern that some of the challenges came in the shape of violent outrages leading to the loss of lives of many citizens and the destruction of some of the nation’s infrastructure, including those devoted to improving our democratic processes.
“Unfortunately some of these challenges came in the shape of violent outrages leading to the loss of lives of many of our dear compatriots and the destruction of some of our infrastructure, including those devoted to improving our democratic processes.”
Unknown gunmen have been attacking police formations, electoral offices and other public facilities mainly in the South-East and South-South region of the country in the past few months.
Many police stations have the attackers while officers have also been killed in Imo, Abia, Akwa Ibom, Rivers and Ebonyi, among other places.
Last October, Nigeria endured two weeks of historic #EndSARS protests against decades of police brutality and other injustices in the country.
The nationwide demonstration rocked the country in unprecedented manner leading to government crackdown on marchers via state and non-state actors in Abuja and other protest hotspots. Violence subsequently broke out in the aftermath.
The president, therefore, rendered condolences to the families and friends of the gallant service men and women who lost their lives in the line of duty and as a sacrifice to keep Nigeria safe.
“Once again, I want to render my sincere and heart-felt condolences to the families and friends of our gallant service men and women who lost their lives in the line of duty and as a sacrifice to keep Nigeria safe.
“I extend the same condolence to the families and friends of our country men, women and children who were unfortunate victims of such senseless arsons, kidnappings and murders,’’ he said.
On the activities of bandits and kidnappers in some parts of the country, especially in the North-West and North-Central zones of the country, the president said “every incident, however minor, gives me great worry and concern.’’
He further stated that “I immediately order security agencies to swiftly but safely rescue victims and bring perpetrators to justice.’’
The Nigerian leader also reassured that his administration would put an end to the growing insecurity, especially the insurgency in the North-East.
He noted that the unintended consequences of scattering insurgents in the North-East had pushed them further in-country “which is what we are now facing and dealing with.
“We will, by the Grace of God, put an end to these challenges too.
“Unfortunately, like in most conflict situations, some Nigerian criminals are taking undue advantage of a difficult situation and profiteering therefrom with the misguided belief that adherence to the democratic norms handicaps.’’
(NAN)
