We'll no longer condone herdsmen/farmers Clashes - Buhari

President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday said his administration would no longer tolerate the incessant clashes between herdsmen and farmers which have led to several deaths and internally displaced persons.

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Buhari gave the warning at the graduation ceremony for Course 24 participants of the ‎National Defence College (NDC), Abuja.

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The President said he has ordered security ‎agencies to step in and deal decisively with those instigating or committing such crimes.

 

His words: "On the matter of herdsmen/farmers clashes, I wish to state that this Administration will not tolerate or condone acts of banditry and criminality, under any guise. As such, our security agencies have been mandated to deal with such acts decisively".

 

On other flashpoints in the country, Buhari said his ‎"administration has been working assiduously in conjunction with our local and international partners, to rebuild damaged communities in North East part of our country.

 

"Similarly, we are committed to tackling the issues of underdevelopment and neglect in the Niger Delta area.

 

"This is a priority we have set before us and we intend to make appreciable gains in correcting the ills of the past in the Niger Delta by assuaging inherent grievances."‎

 

 ‎On corruption and his administration's thrust, he recalled his inaugural speech of last year, saying that his efforts through probe of past government officials and others have yielded dividends.

 

"First, we should seek to secure the country, improve the economy and fight corruption.

 

"As it is, this is our unfinished business from the past and dates back to the creation of our republic, yet to this day, corruption and poverty remain our main national problems.

 

"As part of efforts to address the problem of corruption, we have set in motion legal processes to recover whatever we can and bring to justice those who betrayed their trust. Thus far, we have been able to recover billions of naira from indicted companies and individuals.

 

"In addition, through the implementation and enforcement of the Treasury Single Account, we have been able to save more for our nation."

 

The President congratulated the 130 graduands and charged them to put to good use their newest intellectual acquisition and assured them that their contributions to nation-building was appreciated.

 

The graduands were from the Nigerian Army, Navy, Airforce and Nigeria Police, Nigeria Immigration Service, National Defence College, Defence Intelligence Agency, Department of State Security, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Nigerian Prisons Service, Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, Federal Road Safety Commission.

 

There were also seven military officers from Ghana, Benin Republic, Sierra Leone and Zambia.