‘‘We have been doing our best and we depend a lot on you to do what is needed in the field. “I do not want you to spare any cattle rustler, armed robber or any stupid person who thinks he is above the law.”
President Muhammadu Buhari has challenged military personnel deployed to Katsina State, saddled with the task of fighting bandits in Zamfara, to be “as ruthless as humanly possible” in carrying out their assignment.
The president gave the challenge when he addressed the 1000-strong military force assembled to check the menace of the bandits and other criminal elements at the Umaru Musa Yar’Adua International Airport Katsina, on Saturday.
The Federal Government had, on July 29, assembled military personnel, comprising the army, air force, police and the civil defence to help in tackling the activities of the bandits.
“Secondly, on the economy, more than 60 per cent of the population of Nigeria is under 30 years.
‘‘A lot of them did not have the opportunity to be educated to secure respective jobs; their expectations are very high.
“The second undertaken we made is to improve the economy and the third is to fight corruption.
‘‘We have been doing our best and we depend a lot on you to do what is needed in the field. “I do not want you to spare any cattle rustler, armed robber or any stupid person who thinks he is above the law.
‘‘I commend you for the job you have been doing so far and I assure you that I will continue to be a worthy Commander-in-Chief,’’ he said.
The president, who donated five bulls to the military personnel, departed for Abuja after the Sallah break in his country home, Daura.
Governor Aminu Masari of Katsina State and other government dignitaries were at the airport to wish the president safe trip back to Abuja.
While in Daura, the president had received seven All Progressives Congress governors, many members of the National Assembly including Sen. Shehu Sani as well as cabinet ministers, who paid him Sallah homage.
President Buhari also used the opportunity to hold various family meetings with relatives.
(NAN)