President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday warned that his directive to security agents to shoot anyone found with illegal assault refiles still subsists.
Buhari said this during his one-day visit to Lagos State, at the handing over of some security equipment to the Lagos State Police Command by the state governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu
Buhari’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, said in a statement that President Buhari reiterated that his primary duty as Commander-in-Chief of the Federation remained keeping all Nigerians and their property safe.
Buhari also vowed to act firmly and decisively “against any and all persons fomenting or carrying out attacks on our Police Force and other security personnel,” Adesina said.
According to him, the president noted that “a nation that turns its Police personnel and infrastructure into targets of violence and destruction is a nation on the path of self-destruction”.
“As Commander-in-chief, my primary responsibility remains the security of the country and the safety of all citizens. Despite the many challenges we are facing, I want Nigerians to rest assured that we will secure this country.
“We will secure our infrastructure, our highways, our communities, and our forests, and we will secure the lives of our people”, he said.
The President told members of the Nigeria Police that as the government strives to improve their welfare and capacity, the citizens equally had expectations from them.
“First let me commend the Inspector-General of Police and the entire Force for the recent efforts to restore peace to troubled parts of the country.
“I have charged the Inspector-General to leave no stone unturned in rebuilding the morale of his officers and men, especially in the aftermath of the mindless violence associated with the #EndSARS protests, as well as the recent spate of attacks on Police Stations in some parts of the country,” he said.
Buhari commended the Lagos State governor on the newly acquired security equipment and assets, and noted that it would go a long way in boosting the morale of the Police, and further enhance their capacity to fight crime and combat criminality.
“This is even more touching in the light of the unwarranted violence that ensued in the wake of the ENDSARS protests last October, which saw the security architecture in Lagos State being severely damaged,” the president noted.
Buhari commended Lagos State, the Centre of Excellence, for its resilient spirit, in the face of the massive destruction it suffered last October during the ENDSARS protests.
“You did not allow yourselves to be deterred by the severe setback; instead, you have bounced back and are now boldly rebuilding the confidence of residents and investors in the State.
“I acknowledge the initiative taken to kick-start the rebuilding process, through the establishment of the Lagos State Rebuild Trust Fund, and through this very laudable effort by the Lagos State Security Trust Fund. I enjoin other State Governments to emulate your bold, proactive and resourceful initiative,” Buhari said.
Continuing, Buhari reiterated the government’s commitment to and obligation to secure the lives and property of Nigerians. He said his administration is conscious of the fact that security is the bedrock of business, investment, and true prosperity.
According to the President, no Federal government, since the return of democratic rule in 1999, has done as much as his administration in repositioning the Nigeria Police Force and national policing architecture.
“In 2019, I signed into law the Act establishing the Nigeria Police Trust Fund, the first in the history of the Force, to provide guaranteed funding to support Police welfare, logistics and equipment.
“In September 2020, I assented to the Bill amending the Nigeria Police Act, which was originally enacted in 1943.
“This new Act, a vast improvement over the old one, among other things spells out the modalities for the implementation of a National Community Policing Scheme in Nigeria.
“This new scheme will build confidence within our local communities and make them active stakeholders in the safety and security of their environs.
“We are currently recruiting 10,000 new Police officers to reinforce our personnel capacity across the country. In addition to this, I have directed the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission to carry out an upward review of Police salaries and benefits,” he said.
