Ebun Francis|
President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday in Jos, the Plateau state capital said it is unfair for people to accuse him of supporting suspected killer herdsmen because he looks like them.
The president currently on a visit to the troubled state, made the remark at an interactive session with stakeholders.
Buhari who said he was in the state to commiserate with the people over the recent killings which claimed over hundred lives blamed the continued attacks on desperate politicians whom he says were taking advantage of the situation ahead of the 2019 elections.
The President’s remarks were contained in a statement by Garba Shehu, his senior special on media and publicity.
Buhari said, ‘‘I will continue to pressurise members of the law enforcement agencies directly under me by the Constitution as the Commander-in-Chief. About eight days ago, we had five hours security meeting of the service chiefs and the Inspector-General of Police.”
‘‘What happened here in Jos is very bad. The question of leadership, from your household to whatever you are, is justice. The bottom line is justice.
‘‘That is why wherever I go, I will always appeal to the leadership of the communities, the law enforcement agencies to always have control of their constituencies.
‘‘Whatever is being given to the media, we have to be very responsible about it.
‘‘Take for instance the situation in Benue. The Benue subsistence farmer knows that the Nigerian cattle herder that he knows doesn’t carry anything more than a stick, occasionally sometimes something to cut grass to feed his cattle.
‘‘But the present herder, I am told, carries AK47 and people are even blaming me for not talking to them because maybe (they say) I look like one of them.
‘‘There is some injustice in these aspersions.”
Buhari, however, said despite the security challenges in the country, Nigerians recognise the “success” recorded by his administration in combating insecurity.
“It is noteworthy that many Nigerians still acknowledge that despite the security challenges, this administration has made notable successes in the security sector,” he said.
The President was accompanied to the meeting by, Simon Lalong, governor of the state, Abubakar Bagudu and Abubakar Bello, governors of Kebbi and Niger states.
