The Presidency yesterday insisted that politicians are behind some of the killings being experienced in the country, especially the herdsmen crisis.
A statement issued by the Senior Special Assistant to the President, Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, said as President Muhamadu Buhari indicated lately, there is evidence of involvement of some politicians using criminals to perpetuate the killings.
The statement said the presidency is appealing to all its citizens as well as members of the international community to refrain from spreading false stories and inflammatory statements concerning the recent herder-farmer clashes.
“The Nigerian Government is working closely with State governments and the Security Services – as well as international partners – in order to resolve this ongoing issue. The clashes between herders and farmers are historical. The causes of these confrontations are varied and complex.
“Climate change, specifically the drying up of the Chad Basin, has led to more pressure on the population in the North of Nigeria, which further compounded the problem.
“Climate change is an issue of global significance and the Nigerian Government is determined to continue working closely with its neighbours in order to ensure that a long-term solution can be implemented,” the statement said.
The statement added that the Federal Government made no distinction among the population and worked tirelessly to protect all Nigerian people.
“We are strongest as a nation when we are united and it is through unity that we will overcome this challenge,” the presidency said.
…IG orders CPs, AIGs to be on red alert
Inspector-General of Police (I-G), Mr Ibrahim Idris, has directed Commissioners of Police in state commands and their supervising Assistant Inspectors-General of Police to be on red alert.
Force Spokesman, acting DCP Jimoh Moshood, disclosed this in a statement in Abuja on Saturday, adding that the directive was to enable all police formations to prevent crimes and criminalities in the country.
“This directive from the I-G is consequent on the recent attack and killing of seven policemen at Galadimawa Roundabout in Abuja on July 2 by armed robbers and bandits,” he said.
Moshood said that the AIGs and CPs were under strict instruction to re-jig their crime prevention and control strategies and carryout massive deployment of police personnel and logistics.
He said that they are also to pay attention to places of worship, schools, markets, venues of recreation and other public spaces to forestall any untoward incident.
“The ongoing raids of criminal hideouts and black spots will be sustained throughout the country. Show of Force exercise and confidence-building patrols will also be embarked upon,” he said.
The spokesman implored the public to cooperate with the policemen deployed in their localities.
He said that the renewed commitment of the force to sustain the tempo of the fight against violent crimes and other criminalities in the country remained unequivocal and unwavering.
