Following criticisms by some Nigerians over continued insecurity in the country, especially with the recent activities of armed criminal elements popularly refered to as Bandits in parts of the country, President Muhammadu Buhari has given insight into reason why security agencies are not attacking the criminal suspects.

President Buhari, a retired Major General, stated that the reason security agency are yet to take action against bandits is due to the fear of heavy casualties of innocent villagers and hostages that may suffer as a result.

Some highly placed individuals and activists the country believe that the President is overlooking the increase rate of Bandit activities in the country due to the fact that most of the Bandits are of Fulani origin, which is his tribe.

In recent times, some public figures in the Northern part of the country have risen to defend the Bandits and killer herdsmen kidnapping and killing citizens, especially rural farmers.

However, a Presidential spokesman, Garba Shehu, quoted President Buhari saying “We have the capacity to deploy massive force against the bandits in the villages where they operate, but our limitation is the fear of heavy casualties of innocent villagers and hostages who might be used as human shields by the bandits.”

Buhari condemned the latest abduction of hundreds of students from a school in Zamfara State and warn that no group is too strong to defeat the Government.

He said hostage situation are complicated and should be treated with care else it might lead to the lost of live of the hostages.