It’s difficult for us to crush bandits, Buhari confessed

President Muhammadu Buhari has said that it is difficult to crush bandits because of the use of captives as human shields.

The President made this revelation while welcoming some residents of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) on Sallah homage at State House, Abuja.

On the attack on Kaduna train, the President directed security forces to effect the rescue of the affected persons.

Recall that some terrorists had on March 28 launched an attack on the AK9 Abuja–Kaduna train, wasting up to nine persons, several others got injured and unknown number of passengers got kidnapped.

The president however said that the government would put in place necessary security measures to secure the freedom of the captives, alive.

“As we celebrate this occasion with joy amidst friends and family members, we are fully conscious of the fact that many families in our country are in a state of fear and anxiety on account of the many captives held by terrorists against their will, including those taken away after the tragic bombing of the Abuja – Kaduna train.

“I have directed security agencies to ensure quick and safe recovery of all victims of kidnapping. I urge the railway management to immediately set up a situation room for the coordination of the rescue mission and for a minute by minute engagement with the families of the captives.

“This should ease their pain and anxiety as we push the military to finding a safe return to their families. My aim is to see all those in captivity safely rescued.

“Let me assure Nigerians that the bandits are just pushing their luck, but this is only for a while before they are finally crushed. They are using civilians as human shields, thereby making it difficult to confront them directly,” he said.

The president acknowledged that bandits and terrorists are not professional soldiers who are known for respecting rules of engagement, as any attempt to attack them may result to the killing of the kidnapped.

“They don’t care about killing their hostages if they come under attack. It’s a delicate situation that requires wisdom, caution and also patience. Any rescue operation that results in the death of any hostage cannot be deemed a success.

“The government doesn’t want this kind of tragic outcome. It’s a complex situation that demands proper handling. The primary objective of any rescue operation is to free the hostages safely, unharmed and alive.

“Let me make it clear, however, that defeating the terrorists and bandits requires more than weapons; we also need human intelligence which is necessary to frustrate terrorist plans. The people and community leaders should help our security officials with information about the activities or movements of criminal groups,” he added.