A pressure group, Arewa Think Tank (ATT) has expressed excitement following the order by President Bola Tinubu, to the military to end banditry in the country in 2025.
The Minister of State for Defence, Bello Mohammed Matawalle had, at the weekend, disclosed that President Tinubu directed the military to ensure that banditry is brought to an end in the incoming year.
ATT Convener, Muhammad Alhaji Yakubu, in a statement, in Kaduna, on Monday, noted that such news from the Presidency was enough to enliven the hope of Nigerians in this administration of President Tinubu.
“We are happy to hear that Matawalle told All Progressives Congress (APC) members at his Gusau residence about the directive from Tinubu, and assured that the military would do everything to comply with the president’s directive.
“This is even coming at the time Mr. President has taken another bold step to ending this Monster called banditry, kidnapping and general insecurities by allocating the largest share of 2025 budget to defence. We say kudos to him,” he stated.
He stated that the directive underscored that the president was seriously concerned about the level of insecurity in the country.
“This is a testament that President Tinubu is so worried about insecurity in the country and he is not playing politics with it, hence the executive order to the military to bring to an end this seemingly unending banditry and terrorism in the country.
“It is our belief that the Federal Government will make the necessary arrangements to deploy more troops and military equipment to troubled areas in the North-West zone and any other parts of the country.
“We are calling on the Federal Government and the military chiefs to tackle the issue of informants aiding the bandits so that President Tinubu’s directive will not be in vain because the major challenge for now is to win the war against bandits across the country.
“We want to believe that the informants are members of the communities who are selling their conscience to the devil for the sake of money. And we are also warning politicians to desist from mixing politics with security issues in such a manner that will discourage our military protecting the nation and the people.
“Again, our joy is that the appeal we have been making to Nigerians to give President Tinubu up to two years in office before they can begin to criticise him is yielding good result because from all indications by the time he clocks two years, Nigerians may have no option than to commend him for job a well done.
“So, now that there is hope in the horizon under this government, we will continue to appeal to Nigerians to be patient with Mr. President and wait for the fulfilment of what he promised. After two years if nobody finds his government wanting, such person can go ahead and do the criticism. But for now, President Tinubu is on the right track. Nobody should derail him for now,” the statement said.
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