The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) says Nigeria’s security architecture has become so weakened under President Muhammadu Buhari, leading to abduction and killing of security operatives by terrorists and bandits.
In a statement signed by the PDP’s national publicity secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan, the PDP urged the president to end his lethargic approach by taking very urgent steps to tackle terrorism in the country.
The statement reads: “The PDP laments that the escalated acts of terrorism in the country, now worsened by incessant attack on security operatives, the latest being the abduction of no fewer than 18 police operatives by bandits in Kaduna state, further highlights the failures of Mr. President to coordinate an effective fight against terrorism in our country.
“Our party, as the voice of the people, tasks President Buhari to show concern to the plight of Nigerians who are being ravaged by terrorists, bandits, kidnappers and vandals whose activities have been emboldened by the indolent and languid attitude of his administration, including its recent dismissive statement to Nigerians to “wait on God” for solution.
“President Buhari should listen to Nigerians and rejig his command structure, which has become so weak that officials now rationalize acts of terrorism to the extent of blaming victims, as was the case in the 43 farmers recently beheaded by terrorists in Borno state.
“The situation has become so bad that it took Chadian President Idris Derby to personally lead his troops into our territories to rout out insurgents and free Nigerian communities and our soldiers held captive by terrorists.
“It is indeed unfortunate that despite the manifest security lapses, Mr. President has refused to respect the consensus by Nigerians across board, as validated by the two chambers of the National Assembly to rejig his security architecture, by replacing his service chiefs with more competent hands.
“The PDP calls on President Buhari to demonstrate a sense of responsibility to the duties of his office in the interests of vulnerable Nigerians who are daily falling victim to bandits, terrorists and kidnappers prowling the land.
“Mr. President must know that Nigerians have become despondent due to his failure to provide leadership to our troubled nation.
“Our party however, identifies with the police and other security agencies at this trying time and urge them not to be deterred.
“The PDP also calls on Nigerians to continue to be at alert and not to relent in providing useful information to our security agencies in the fight against terrorism in the country.”
