President Muhammadu Buhari said Monday that the Federal Government had commenced the mobilisation of military and task forces to stop the sabotage of oil facilities and kidnapping for ransom in the coastal areas of Nigeria.
Speaking at a meeting with a delegation from the United States Institute of Peace, President Buhari also said that his administration was giving the highest priority to the resettlement of displaced persons and rehabilitation of infrastructure in the North East. The President was speaking on the heels of renewed agitation of by militants in the Niger-Delta region of Nigeria, as well as the incessant kidnapping in the region.
According to a statement by Garba Shehu, senior special adviser to the President on media and publicity, Buhari assured the delegation that his administration’s ongoing war against corruption would be fought within the ambit of the law, and that mechanisms had been put in place to ensure respect for human rights in the fight against terrorism.
“We attach great importance to human rights. If there are breaches, they will be investigated and dealt with,” he said.
The President welcomed the growing international support, especially from the United States and Europe, for Nigeria’s efforts to end the Boko Haram insurgency.
The President also expressed happiness with the support of Nigerians for the cardinal programmes of his government, the security of the country, the war against corruption and revival of the economy, which, he said, would continue to be vigorously pursued.
Nancy Lindborg, who led the Institute’s delegation, applauded the progress being made by the Buhari administration in ensuring greater security in Nigeria.
She promised the continued assistance of the Institute for the reconstruction and development work going on in the country.
Elizabeth Archibong
