President Muhammadu Buhari has called on Nigerians, particularly those in the North-East states, to be more vigilant and ready to work with security operatives in ending the war against insurgency.
This is contained in a statement issued in Abuja on Sunday by the president’s Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu.
The statement said President Buhari was reacting to the spate of suicide bombings in Chibok market, Dolari Internally Displaced Person’s (IDP) camp in Borno, and the Gombi market in Adamawa.
The President noted that the materials for the Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) were locally sourced by the insurgents, and urged Nigerians to be more circumspect and report suspicious purchases and movements of unusual components across the country.
He noted that the insurgents had suffered immensely from the sustained bombardments of their camps and hideouts by the Nigerian military and had resorted to using desperate measures to gain cheap media attention.
“I urge all citizens, wherever they live, to own the war against terror and to be part of the fight, because it is the only way we can finish the remaining work that needs to be done to make our country safe again,’’ he said.
Buhari said that the terrorists had been rendered weak, confused and homeless after repeated bombings and ravaging of their camps and hideouts by the military.
He further noted that the terrorists had been forced to find their way back into the society to wreak havoc, like the case of the Dolari IDP camp.
“Having lost the war, they are seeking ways and means to gradually find their way back into society.
“They are not returning to contribute, but to cause more havoc.
“They are so desperate to embarrass the government and the people that they have no qualms attacking isolated communities and markets,’’ he added.
Buhari extended his condolences to all the people of Chibok, Gombi and Dolari who lost loved ones in the recent bomb attacks.
He prayed that the Almighty God would comfort them and grant the injured persons quick recovery.