As Buhari orders troops to hunt down terrorists
The Senate has called on President Muhammadu Buhari to declare a full-scale war on gunmen terrorising communities across the country.
This call was made by the upper legislative chamber yesterday, after the Senator representing Kaduna-Central, Uba Sani, drew its attention to Monday evening’s attack on an Abuja-Kaduna-bound train.
Recall that the attack occurred around Katari-Rijana area of Kaduna, when the train was said to have almost reached its final destination, Rigasa, when the gunmen opened fire on it, killing some passengers while others sustained injuries.
The lawmaker noted that terrorists have in recent times stepped up attacks on some communities and public facilities in Kaduna State.
Senator Sani bemoaned the attacks and expressed concern that the unrelenting attacks call to question the strategies and tactics being adopted by the nation’s security forces.
The Senate, accordingly, in its resolutions, urged President Muhammadu Buhari, to declare a full-scale war against terrorists, so as to fully secure all our national territory from them in whatever guise. It urged the Army and the Air Force to carry out a sustained bombardment of terrorist enclaves to flush them out and restore peace and stability to our communities.
The Senate further directed security agencies to always take steps to prevent the occurrence of similar incidents in the future and urged the relevant agencies of government to step up their information-gathering mechanism to, forestall these incessant attacks.
The chamber also called on the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, National Emergency Management Agency, (NEMA), and other relevant government agencies to assist the affected communities with relief materials. It urged Nigerians to remain vigilant and report any suspicious movements to security operatives.
The Senate, thereafter, held a minute silence to mourn the deceased in Mondays attacks, while condoling the families of the victims of the attacks and the government and people of Kaduna State.
Meanwhile, President Muhammadu Buhari has described the attack by terrorists on a train in Kaduna State as a matter of grave concern, instructing the military and other security agencies to immediately swing to action. He specifically told his Service Chiefs and other heads of security outfits to immediately hunt them down the terrorists.
According to a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, the President issued the instructions after being briefed by the Service Chiefs and other heads of security agencies on the findings from the site of the attack.
He directed the Security Chiefs to ensure a speedy conclusion of all the processes for the implementation of the integrated security surveillance and monitoring solution for the Abuja to Kaduna railway line, adding that this be extended to cover the Lagos-Ibadan railway line.
The President reiterated his earlier directive that the military should deal ruthlessly with terrorists and asked them to be more decisive and not spare anyone unlawfully wielding an AK-47 weapon.
“No one should be allowed to hold the country to ransom, said Buhari.
The President also instructed the Nigerian Railway Corporation, (NRC), to repair the bombed section of the rail-track and resume operations along the Abuja-Kaduna rail corridor immediately.
