Nigeria’s president admits to failing to put an end to the bloodshed

Last updated on September 11th, 2021 at 07:58 am

President Muhammadu Buhari of Nigeria has recognized that he has failed to fulfill a promise he made when he was elected in 2015.

In a television address, he stated that the fight against Islamist militants in the north had unintended consequences, such as spreading violence to other areas. Mr Buhari expressed his “sincere sympathies” to the victims’ families. Boko Haram, an Islamist insurgency that began in 2009, has increased its attacks in recent months. 

President Buhari claimed after his election in 2015 that the organization had been “technically crushed” by an army onslaught. However, there have been scores of attacks in the north-east since the beginning of the year, and militants have taken control of a number of military bases and towns.

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Weapons, food, and medication were also taken. On Saturday, President Buhari delivered a speech commemorating Democracy Day, saying the previous two years had seen “challenges that would have devastated other nations, especially relative to our collective security.”

“Unfortunately, like other war situations, some Nigerian criminals have taken advantage of a tough scenario,” he said, referring to the attacks and kidnappings that have swept across northwest and central Nigeria. “Families and friends of our countrymen, women, and children who have been the tragic victims of such senseless kidnappings and killings,” he said. 

According to the president, he will do “all in [his] power” to assure security. The speech was delivered as Nigerians around the country gathered for nationwide rallies against insecurity. Security forces have recently attacked protesters, and many have accused the administration of attempting to silence critics. Protest organizers have frequently been targeted and detained.