Femi Adesina: Buhari is sending terrorists, bandits to God for their crimes

Insecurity has escalated in Nigeria over the past few years, especially terrorism in the north east, and banditry across the the northern region.

The president’s inability to curb the wave of violence has been widely-criticised, especially in light of his aggression against less violent agitators for secession in the south.

However, in an op-ed Femi Adesina posted on Thursday, August 5, 2021, Adesina said the criticism is completely false and that the president is crushing terrorists and bandits.

Presenting his thoughts in a Facebook post on Friday, he cited instances where the military dealt with bandits and insurgents.

“It amazes, even confounds, to hear some people say President Muhammadu Buhari should go after Boko Haram terrorists and bandits with the same gusto he has displayed against separatists in the country,” he wrote.

“Amazing and confounding because what the Buhari government does daily in the north-east, north-west, and north-central parts of the country, where terrorists and bandits abound, sends them to God to answer for their crimes.

“This much has been confirmed by the Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen Faruk Yahaya. Hear the Army Chief, on the day he was decorated with his new rank: “That’s what we have started doing already. Many of them have been sent to God to answer for their crimes, and we will continue to do that.

“President Buhari had ordered the security forces to crush all violent criminals and those sponsoring insurrection in the country, vowing that they would be treated “in the language they understand.” And it is happening without let or hindrance, without fear or favour.

“Why then do some people claim that certain troublers of the country are being treated with softer hands, than some others? This could be due to deliberate ignorance, mischief, or pure hatred. Those who keenly follow the war against insurgency and banditry in the northern part of the country, and who want to be honest, would admit that no quarter is being asked, and none is being given. Every effort is being made to extirpate the evil from our body polity”.

Femi Adesina said all criminal elements, irrespective of their category, are “being spoken to in the language they understand”.

“What the Buhari government does daily in the north east, north west, and north central parts of the country, where terrorists and bandits abound, is send them to God to answer for their crimes,” he said, referring to the comment recently used by the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Faruk Yahaya.

The presidential aide said Buhari is not treating any ‘troublers of the country’ with softer hands, and any claim to the contrary is due to ‘deliberate ignorance, mischief, or pure hatred’ by ‘pitiable souls’.

He went on to list certain media reports over the past eight months highlighting the success of military troops against terrorists and bandits in the north.

“The Buhari government is cleaning the country of vermin.

“The baby that swears that his mother will not sleep, will himself keep forceful vigil,” he said.