President Muhammadu Buhari late Monday in Abuja restated his administration's resolve to deal decisively and expeditiously with the violence being perpetrated in Nigerian communities by cattle herdsmen.
Speaking at a meeting with members of the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria (CBCN), he confirmed that heads of national security agencies have been ordered to take all necessary action to apprehend and expose those behind the heinous attacks, spokesman Femi Adesina said in a statement.
The Bishops were led by Most Rev. Ignatius Kaigama, the Archbishop of Jos.
“We are determined to secure all Nigerians and I have told the Inspector-General of Police and other security agencies, in very strong terms, to deal decisively with the attackers,” the President told them.
The reassurance comes against the background of reports of continued attacks on communities across the country by armed herdsmen.
President Buhari expressed his personal condolences to the Catholic Bishop of Enugu, the people of Ukpabi Nimbo and all other communities that have suffered fatalities and other losses from the recent attacks.
Speaking on other national issues, he assured the Bishops that he was acting with deliberation and moving methodically to implement his change agenda for the good of the country.
“We need to rebuild our institutions methodically, we need to change the way we do things,” he stated.
"In the last 10 years, crude oil sold for more than $100 per barrel, but Nigeria did not save. That is why we have found ourselves where we are today.”
The President assured bishops that his administration was working very hard to fulfill all the promises it had made to Nigerians, adding that his greatest motivating factor is the desire to bring positive change to Nigeria.
On behalf of the bishops, Most Rev. Kaigama expressed the solidarity of the CBCN with the President.
"We are willing to collaborate with you and with your administration, in which we see hope for a greater Nigeria,” he told the President.
The bishops pledged continued prayers for Nigeria and the government, expressing their conviction that current hardships are temporary, and that Nigeria will soon overcome its present difficulties.
