By Marcus Ikechukwu
President Muhammadu Buhari has decried the spate of insecurity bedeviling the country, saying his administration is working round the clock to put an end to it, especially as Nigerians approach the 2023 general elections.
Buhari also bemoaned the condition of victims of terrorism in Nigeria, saying he lives with grief daily in his heart and that all mechanisms are being explored to get them freed from their abductors.
His comments were contained in his Sunday morning speech commemorating the 2022 Democracy Day festivities in Abuja.
According to the President, “I know many of us are concerned with the rise in insecurity due to terrorist activities in parts of the country. As a government, we are working hard to contain and address these challenges. And ensure that the 2023 general elections are safe and secure for all Nigerians”
He said to achieve, Nigerians must all contribute, adding that it is not the job of government alone. “I ask all citizens to support and cooperate with our security agencies by reporting any suspicious characters and activities to law enforcement agencies. We can only have a safe country if we are able to prevent crime not after the crime has been committed.
“On this special day, I want us all to put all victims of terrorist activities in our thoughts and prayers. I am living daily with the grief and worry for all those victims and prisoners of terrorism and kidnapping. I and the security agencies are doing all we can to free those unfortunate countrymen and countrywomen safely.”
While assuring families of victims of terrorism, he said, “For those who have lost their lives, we will continue to seek justice for their families against the perpetrators. For those currently in captivity, we will not stop until they are freed, and their kidnappers are brought to justice. If we all unite, we will be victorious against these agents of terror and destruction.
“We have reformed some of our security structures. Some of the defence assets we procured three years ago have arrived and have been deployed.
“Our cyber security and surveillance systems are being upgraded to further enhance our ability to track and trace criminal elements. We are also recruiting and training new personnel across all our security and intelligence agencies to strengthen the country’s over-all security”.
All these comes just as the country is preparing for the 2023 general elections, which most of the political parties have produced flagbearers both at local and national levels.
Buhari while commenting on the conclusion of party primaries in the country, said the level of decorum from all the political gladiators has been quite revealing and encouraging and a reflection of our democratic journey over the years.
He adduced reasons why the Federal Government reviewed the Democracy Day from May 29 to June 12, saying it was in honour of the late MKO Abiola who sacrificed his life to birth a new Nigeria.
His words, “Fellow Nigerians, Today, June The 12th, marks another Democracy Day anniversary and an occasion to celebrate freedom and unity of our Nation.
“From 1999, we consistently celebrated Democracy Day to mark the end of military rule and the return of power and control into the hands of those freely elected by the people. On this day, Nigerians recommit themselves to ensuring we protect and preserve the ideals of democracy.
