We Can’t Conduct Full-Scale Bombing Against Bandits To Avert Collateral Damage — Lai Mohammed

Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, has revealed that the terrain where bandits operate contributes to making security operations difficult.

But human rights lawyer, Mr. Femi Falana (SAN), said Nigerian soldiers can defeat bandits and terrorists if adequate weapons are provided for them to engage the anti-state forces.

The minister who said this yesterday during a radio programme on Bond FM, added that the current administration has invested in tackling insecurity, adding that efforts would be more impactful if citizens support government’s efforts.

“We are also pleading with Nigerians to join in this fight because they have a lot of roles to play in tackling this insecurity. This is because these criminals called bandits are living among us; they interact with the people as well,” he said.

“Who are the ones supplying them with food? More so, they also have landlords. People should expose these criminals and then, the various efforts of the government will be effectively complemented and we will see the results.

“We have been trying our best in the fight against the bandits by equipping our security apparatus. The government has purchased aircraft so that they can fight alongside the soldiers. We have not rested on our oars.
“The welfare of the police is also given adequate attention and very recently, this administration recruited 25,000 constables and deployed them to their home states. This will go a long way in community policing.

“It will be easier for the newly-recruited constables to work effectively. There are lots of work in progress in the security infrastructure and personnel.”