*Buhari talks tough, says killings make Nigeria “irrelevant”
*Says recent wanton killings in Kaduna is unacceptable
*Declares that govt. will take “strongest measure” to punish perpetrators
*Warns Police to sit up, that he has placed them under watch
President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday decried what he described as wanton waste of human lives across the country declaring that his government will take “strongest measures” possible to punish perpetrators of the latest killings in Kaduna state.
Buhari who spoke during a visit to Kaduna state expressed sadness at the loss of lives and property in Kasuwan Magani and the unrest around the metropolis demanding an end to such wanton killings saying “If in the past, they (perpetrators of violence) got away scot-free, we shall now hold everyone to account for these latest killings.”
“It is unacceptable that criminal elements can visit on citizens the wanton killings recorded in the Kasuwan Magani incident of October 18, 2018 and the unrest around Kaduna metropolis a few days later. This must stop”, he ordered.
Speaking further, the President directed the Nigeria Police Force to remain vigilant in securing communities and diligent in prosecuting criminal offences announcing that he has placed the police under his watch.
“The Nigerian police are in the frontline of securing communities. For the judiciary, unless the investigations are credible and rapidly done, there is nothing they can do.
“From now on, the Nigeria police, you better watch it, I am going to watch you closely,” the President said.
Buhari also appealed to community leaders including ward heads, village heads and traditional rulers to be closer to their people.
He urged them not to shield those who are planning to wreak havoc on the community from law enforcement agencies and commiserated with the government and people of Kaduna State as well as families who lost loved ones in the incidents.
The President also paid tribute to the late Agom Adara, Dr. Maiwada Galadima, eulogising the traditional ruler of Adara chiefdom for serving his community and Kaduna State with dedication and appealed to all who call Kaduna home to do their best to uphold peace in their respective communities.
He warned that chaos and anarchy tend to worsen and exacerbate whatever issues are agitating a community adding that “violence shatters and divides people and stifles the prospect of any community that succumbs to its tragic logic.”
“The Federal Government commends the efforts of the Kaduna State Government in responding to and managing the crisis.
“More federal security assets are being provided at the request of the Kaduna State Government to help uphold and keep the peace.
“The Federal Government will continue to work to ensure that more security assets are recruited and deployed across the country to protect all citizens going about their lawful business and to reinforce the authority of the government”, he astated.
Buhari also welcomed the decision of the Kaduna State Government and its local governments to build and provide facilities for the take-off of more police divisions and Civil Defence offices in the state.
“On their part, citizens also have a duty to be law-abiding in their conduct and within their communities.
“There is a need to avoid violence as a tool of negotiation or obtaining advantage, and learn to listen to each other and commit to resolving differences through peaceful means.
“Kaduna, once the home of the Premier and home of the New Nigerian must not earn itself a new name – home of violence.
“The federal security agencies will hunt and prosecute all those who sponsored these acts of violence,” he added.
During the visit, the President met with senior government officials, security chiefs, traditional rulers, religious, political and community leaders at the Musa Yar’Adua Sports Complex, Kaduna.
