INSECURITY: ‘I Expect Nigerians To Be More Understanding’ — Buhari

President Muhammadu Buhari, on Thursday, sought ‘more understanding’ from Nigerians on insecurity and other challenges facing the country.

Buhari said that he also expects Nigerian elites to understand the challenges facing the military in terms of the tedious procedure involved in acquiring weapons to combat insecurity.

The president said this while addressing State House correspondents after observing the Eid-Al-Fitr prayer.

Buhari, however, assured the citizens that regardless of the current challenges facing the nation, his administration would do everything possible to tackle banditry, kidnapping and other crimes.

He said it was pertinent to address insecurity in order to ensure food security in the country.

“I expect Nigerians to be more understanding on the issues involved, looking at time and available resources. For example, when we came in, in the Northeast, ask people in Adamawa and Borno States and the South South in terms of security. Without security, you can’t do anything. Our big surprise and disappointment is what is happening in the Northwest and we are dealing with it,” said Buhari.

He said, “the law enforcement agencies are working hard to regain confidence against bandits, so that we can go back to the land. This is very important. This is what the agencies are busy doing right now. We want people to go back to the land so that we can get enough food for the country and even export.

“With the resources and manpower available to us, we are working very hard. We are hoping Nigerians will understand the problem. Nigerians know at what stage we came in in 2015, what state we are today both on security and the economy and we are doing our best.”

Buhari added that, “The elite should make the attempt to understand the military. If we order for weapons and armored vehicles, it takes time for the manufacturers. It takes time to ship them and when brought here eventually, they are taken to training institutions, train the trainers before sending them to the field. This is a very long process.”