The Nigerian presidency has issued a statement on a recent video by Terrorists threatening President Muhammadu Buhari and flogging Kidnapped train passengers.
It can be recalled that several passengers were kidnapped by Terrorists after an attack on an Abuja-Kaduna Train a few months ago.
On Saturday, the Terrorists released a video threatening President Muhammadu Buhari, Kaduna state governor, Nasir El-rufai and flogging the kidnap victims.
Reacting to the development via a statement sent to POLITICS NIGERIA on Sunday evening, signed by Presidential Media aide, Garba Shehu, the Presidency described the video as ‘Propaganda’ adding security agencies were on top of the matter.
“Terrorist activity using propaganda and the use of violence to force governments to accept or submit to political demands is not new all over world. The country’s security and defense forces are not clueless or helpless. They have their plans and ways of doing things which they will not display in the media.”
“The dilemmas in dealing with the specific case of train terrorists are manifold: punitive action like the popular call for carpet bombing of the known locations may assuage the desire of an angry public for revenge, but what about the hostages? They have committed no offense.”
“All they did was to board a train. It suffices to say that the security forces are not relenting. They are acutely aware of their duties, responsibilities and what the nation expects of them. Whenever they embark upon those actions, they expect that the public should provide them with the needed support.”
“Terrorism is a global scourge that must be fought by all actors- the military, the civilian population and the communication service providers. This is the only way safe havens of terrorists are eliminated in every part of the world.”
“To help the nation against ongoing situation, the media must increase their support for the fight against the exploitation of the internet and social media for terrorist purposes. The Presidency, in the meantime wishes to reassure the public that the President has done all, and even more than what is expected of him as Commander-in-Chief by way of morale, material and equipment support to the military and expects nothing short of good results in the immediate.”
But the government continues to defend the failings of the security forces, would not sanction but defend failing security personnel, rewards ineffectual security chiefs with lucrative appointments, dignifying cluelessness and trifling with security issues by appointments based on ethnic and religious considerations, placing square pegs in round holes, and ever unable to punish recalcitrance and ineptitude.