President Muhammadu Buhari has appealed to the elite and Nigerians to be more understanding of the military as the country grapples with a high level of insecurity.
Buhari said the spate of attacks and kidnappings in the north-west is a “big surprise and disappointment”.
A statement released by Presidential spokesman Garba Shehu, on Thursday, said Buhari made the comment while speaking with journalists at the State House shortly after observing the Eid prayer.
He said the military is making efforts to tackle the situation but that it takes a “very long process” to achieve the desired results.
The president also said his administration is doing its best with available resources.
The statement read in part; “The elite should make the attempt to understand the military. If we order for weapons and armored vehicles, it takes time for the manufacturers. It takes time to ship them and when brought here eventually, they are taken to training institutions, train the trainers before sending them to the field. This is a very long process.
“I expect Nigerians to be more understanding on the issues involved, looking at the time and available resources.
For example, when we came in, in the Northeast, ask people in Adamawa and Borno States and the South South in terms of security. Without security, you can’t do anything. Our big surprise and disappointment are what is happening in the Northwest and we are dealing with it.”
