Holding on to hostages as human shield by terrorists is prolonging anti-terror war, President Muhammadu Buhari said yesterday.
“The bandits are just pushing their luck; but this is only for a while before they are finally crushed. They are using civilians as human shields, thereby making it difficult to confront them directly,” the President told some residents of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
The residents, led by the FCT Minister, Mohammed Musa Bello, were at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, to pay Sallah homage on the President.
According to the President, bandits and terrorists, unlike professional soldiers, do not respect the rules of engagement and therefore, could resort to harming their hostages when under threat.
Buhari said the Service chiefs and the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) have the responsibility of locating the bandits’ in their hideouts for elimination.
The IGP, Usman Alkali, announced the deployment of surveillance choppers yesterday.
On why caution must be applied in taking out terrorists without collateral damages to the innocent, the President said: “They don’t care about killing their hostages if they come under attack. It’s a delicate situation that requires wisdom, caution and also patience. Any rescue operation that results in the death of any hostage cannot be deemed a success.
“The government doesn’t want this kind of tragic outcome. It’s a complex situation that demands proper handling. The primary objective of any rescue operation is to free the hostages safely, unharmed and alive.
“Let me make it clear, however, that defeating the terrorists and bandits require more than weapons; we also need human intelligence, which is necessary to frustrate terrorist plans.
“The people and community leaders should help our security officials with information about the activities or movements of criminal groups.”
Calling on Nigerians to make their communities hostile for criminals to live in, the President warned: ”By protecting criminals from exposure, you are endangering your own security and the security of your own community. No criminal can thrive in an environment where he faces the risks of exposure by the people.”
He said a stronger synergy between security agencies and communities would make a huge difference in defeating banditry and terrorism.
Allaying fears that bandits could grow to yet another big challenge in the mould of Boko Haram, the President assured his administration will not allow such to happen.
“This administration has allocated huge resources to improve the capacity of our security forces by timely giving them adequate equipment and improving the welfare of personnel to boost their morale.
