President Muhammadu Buhari has made it clear that he would not spare members of Boko Haram whom he described as criminal elements that are bent on causing anarchy.
The President condemned the latest terrorist attack on Maiduguri, stressing that his administration won’t tolerate wanton and wilful destruction of life by members of the sect.
The President, who reacted to the latest attack, which left scores of people dead, injured and maimed, said in a statement issued by his media team that his administration meant business in its determination to tackle terrorist violence with all the resources available to his government.
Describing terrorists as cowardly murderers that target innocent people, President Buhari said that as the Commander-in-Chief, he has sworn to protect the security of Nigerians everywhere.
The President called for increased vigilance by local communities, even as he assured that his administration would give security close attention, and that his government is committed to boosting the morale of the armed forces by effectively funding them and attending to their welfare.
He condoled the families of the victims of the latest terrorist attack on Maiduguri and assured them that the worst days of these criminal elements will be over soon.

[myad]

President Muhammadu Buhari has made it clear that he has not authorised anybody to stop any Nigerian from travelling outside Nigeria.
The President who was today, responding to some cases of “V.I.P stoppages” at the airports which he said was reported to him emphasised: “we have not banned anyone from travelling.”
President Buhari directed all agencies under the government to run their affairs in full compliance with extant rules, regulations and the constitution of the country.
“Unless otherwise directed by the courts, no law-abiding citizens should be barred from travelling abroad. We must treat fellow citizens with courtesy and respect. “Officials at the borders and other points of entry and exit should conduct their affairs in strict compliance with due process. No one has my permission to bar anyone from travelling abroad.”
The President stressed that officials of the past administrations including ministers are entitled to their full rights and privileges under the constitution and must not be subjected to any undue harassment and intimidation at the airports or at other points of entry and exit.

[myad]

Some angry youths, who disrupted the swearing in of Kaduna State Governor Mallam Nasir El-Rufai by hauling stones, sachets of water and other objects at the venue yesterday have confessed that their target was the Emir of Zazzau, Alhaji Shehu Idris, whom they accused of being the agent of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

They said that the Emir had shown open hatred for governor Nasiru el-Rufai, citing an example of when the emir refused to grant audience to the governor on three occasions during the campaigns.
“He is a supporter of PDP and we don’t expect to see him here because during the campaigns, El-Rufai visited him three times but he refused to grant him audience. His presence at the swearing in is out of hypocrisy,” one of the youths said.
The youths started throwing stones and shoes at the Emir when he was invited to the podium to present his address shortly after the governor took his oath of office.

The Murtala Square, venue of the event was thrown into confusion as the security agencies struggled to control the situation.
The rioting youths had a running battle with the police as they continued to throw stones and shoes directed at the emir who was seated at the VIP stand among other guests.
The police pursued the hoodlums who were throwing stones from different directions, but when such effort became fruitless, they threw teargas at them.
The emir was immediately taken to one of the guest waiting rooms at the Murtala square by armed police men where he was kept before he was eventually smuggled out of the place.
The programme which started on an exciting mood suddenly came to an abrupt end as people quickly left the venue.
It was learnt that youths took advantage of the relaxed security at the venue of the event. They smuggled in stones in their pockets with a view to attack the former governor of the state, Alhaji Mukhtar Yero and the emir. However, Yero did not turn up for the event. [myad]

Kaduna state governor, Nasiru el-Rufai has pledged that he and his deputy would avoid ostentation and foolish bigmanism in the governance of the state.

Speaking shortly after he was sworn in yesterday by the Chief Judge of Kaduna State, Justice Tanimu Zailani, the governor acknowledged that fact that leadership by example is the most persuasive way to demand sacrifices from all of us as citizens, adding: “We pledge to avoid ostentation and foolish bigmanism, and to value transparency, modesty and accountability.
“In recognition of the difficult challenges we face, our deputy Governor and I have concluded that the sacrifices that change requires must begin with us. We have decided to take a pay cut and donate 50 per cent of our salaries and allowances, until our fiscal situation improves.
“We will obey the same rules that we demand of all of you. After all, the law is the difference between civilization and anarchy. We submit ourselves to the principle that all are equal before the law.”

Governor el-Rufai disclosed that  Kaduna is the second most indebted state in the country, adding that the state cannot meet its obligations without handouts from the federal government.
He called on the people to make sacrifices for a better tomorrow and for the future of their children, saying: “I say to you today, my fellow citizens of Kaduna State, that the time has come for us to face up to our responsibilities as citizens. We must take many difficult decisions. We have no choice but to postpone immediate gratification and sacrifice the fleeting comforts of today for a better future for our children.
“This is what change means. You have spoken loud and clear that the time is now to stop the madness, and to live up to our fullest potential as human beings in the 21st Century.
The governor said that although the problems are many but that priorities would be focused on the few key things that would allow all people the chance to fulfill their highest aspirations.
“We pledge to you today to focus on jobs, security, education, and healthcare. We made these promises to you during the campaign, and we fully intend to fulfil them.”
The governor decried the security situation in the state, noting that insecurity is an obstacle to progress.
“Too many of our communities have suffered from communal violence, cattle-rustling and armed robbery, assuring that his administration will work with law enforcement officials to drastically reduce violent crime.
“By choosing us to lead all our people— man and woman, adult and child, Christian and Muslim— on the difficult road to our freedom from soul-crushing poverty and human degradation, I pledge to you today to work day and night to make Kaduna great again. Together, we shall make this corner of our country a state worthy of our children.” [myad]