Shoot anybody found illegally wielding AK-47s, Buhari orders security agencies

Shoot any person found illegally wielding AK-47s, Buhari redirects security agencies

The Nigerian President, Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday, reiterated that his directive to security agencies, to shoot any person or persons found illegally wielding AK-47s and other assault weapons remains in place.

Buhari made this statement while speaking during his one-day official visit to the Lagos State at the handing over of security equipment by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to the Lagos State Police Command

In a statement signed by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, the president vowed that his administration will act firmly and decisively ‘‘against any and all persons fomenting or carrying out attacks on our Police Force and other security personnel.’’

He said, ‘‘a nation that turns its Police personnel and infrastructure into targets of violence and destruction is a nation on the path of self-destruction.’’

‘‘As Commander-in-chief, my primary responsibility remains the security of the country and the safety of all citizens. Despite the many challenges we are facing, I want Nigerians to rest assured that we will secure this country.

‘‘We will secure our infrastructure, our highways, our communities, and our forests, and we will secure the lives of our people.”

The President assured members of the Nigeria Police that the government striving to improve their welfare and capacity.

He stressed, ‘‘First let me commend the Inspector-General of Police and the entire Force for the recent efforts to restore peace to troubled parts of the country.

‘‘I have charged the Inspector-General to leave no stone unturned in rebuilding the morale of his officers and men, especially in the aftermath of the mindless violence associated with the EndSARS protests, as well as the recent spate of attacks on Police Stations in some parts of the country.”

He commended the Lagos Governor on the newly-acquired security equipment and assets, noting that it would go a long way in boosting the morale of the Police, and further enhance their capacity to fight crime and combat criminality.

‘‘This is even more touching in the light of the unwarranted violence that ensued in the wake of the ENDSARS protests last October, which saw the security architecture in Lagos State being severely damaged,’’ he expressed.