Nigeria’s Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces and President Muhammadu Buhari, who lost some generals and other officers to last Friday’s air crash, says tragic incident has further complicated the nation’s security challenges.
Taking Nigerians on a spiritual plane, Buhari said only God knew why the crash happened and expressed resolve to continue to work hard hoping that God would provide the enablement to deal with challenges.
“This is a situation that only God knows when it will happen and it happened at a time when the security situation in the country is a fundamental issue.
“And to loose choice officers has increased our problem but we know what we are in for and we will continue to work hard and pray hard so that God will give us the power to appreciate and apply ourselves to the problem,” the president told a delegation of the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF) at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
The governors came calling to condole with him on the air crash that killed the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Ibrahim Attahiru and 10 other military officers.
The delegation was led by the Chairman of the NGF and Ekiti Gov. Kayode Fayemi and the Acting Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Yobe Governor, Mai Mala Buni, and Governor Sani Bello of Niger state.
Buhari also said:”The people who elected us, they know the promises we made within the time, the circumstances which we find ourselves…we will keep on trying and continue to do our best.”
Fayemi had commiserated with the federal government over the death of the officers, saying the incident was deeply felt by the president.
He recalled that the president acceded to their requested for the change of service chiefs, pointing out that the impact of the action was already being felt.
Describing the deaths of the officers as a big blow, Fayemi insisted that the war against insecurity must be won.
“We’ve read your statement and this delegation of governors consider it a duty and as part of our obligation as your representatives to commiserate with you over the loss of your galant officers.
“We know it is an event that has touched you. When we mentioned the necessity for a change of service chiefs, you were determined to get the best set of people, you gave your assurance and the military was beginning to feel the impact.
“We know that this is a major blow and you’re unrelenting in your quest/commitment to ensure a peace and security in our country.
“It is unfortunate the losses we have suffered. We only pray God gives both the families and the country the fortitude to bear the loss, pray that God gives our country greater resolve to continue on the path that the late COAS towed.
“For us we must defeat banditry, insurgency and criminality. That is the mandate you gave them. This should not lead to any retreat or surrender on our part.
“As you have promised, we know that our country will do everything to ensure that the administration will do all to take care of the families of the departed officers. It is an indication of how protected the active officers would be,” Persecondnews quotes Fayemi as saying.
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