The Minister of Defence, Bashir Magashi has declared there was nothing wrong in a statement by President Muhammadu Buhari where he vowed to deal with criminals “in the language they understand.”
Speaking with newsmen at the State House in Abuja on Wednesday, Magashi said the President was only charging security operatives to deal with criminals bent on destroying the country before they cause further damage.
Naija News recalls President Buhari had while reacting to the frequent attacks by gunmen on government facilities in the southeast said those responsible for the attacks will be dealt with in the language they understand.
The President’s comment was however widely interpreted as a veiled threat and reference to the civil war experience, sparking various reactions which eventually resulted in the taking down of the statement and the video in which he said it by micro-blogging site, Twitter.
The federal government was later to suspend the operations of Twitter indefinitely in Nigeria, citing the organization’s undue interference in the affairs and security of the country as its reason.
The government’s decision however met sharp criticism and condemnation from Nigerians and the international community.
Buhari later used the reference again in his order to security operatives to deal with bandits terrorizing the northwest region of the country.
On Wednesday, Buhari’s Minister said the President was right in his submission and the battle should be taken to the criminals with the evil intention of destroying the country.
“I don’t think there is anything wrong to get rid of an enemy if he also wants to get rid of you and that is what the president is saying.
“You cannot own a weapon illegally and be allowed to stay alive because that weapon can be used against you.
“We will take on anybody who is carrying arms. Nigeria will not allow that to continue to happen. That is our message,” Magashi said while shedding more light on the statement.
Magashi also warned that those involved in criminal activities in Nigeria will be fished out and dealt with according to the law.
He said: “If you commit an offence, you will be arrested, tried and if you are guilty you will be punished. But for anybody picking arms against a soldier, you know what that means and we will also treat him according to the law.”
Meanwhile, unknown gunmen have killed the Director Of Scientific Equipment Development Institute (SEDI-E) in Enugu State, identified as Prof. Sam Ndubuisi.
According to reports, the deceased was shot dead by yet to be identified gunmen on Wednesday evening, July 7, while on his way to a meeting.
This article was originally published on Nigeria News