War against corruption: I’ll not spare anybody, Buhari vows

President Muhammadu Buhari, has vowed not to spare any effort in the ongoing fight against corruption.

President Muhammadu Buhari addressing diplomats at the Aso Rock Villa on Thursday

Buhari made this declaration while hosting members of the Diplomatic Corps to a cocktail at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

He reiterated however, that in doing so, he would work within the ambit of the law.

He said: “We are resolved to build a stable and prosperous Nigeria, a country that is inclusive of all her diverse peoples and a country that is at ease with itself. Building such a country will not be possible where corruption is pervasive.

“Mindful of this, it has become necessary to wage a relentless war against the cancer of corruption. So long as corruption holds center stage in the affairs of Nigeria, the country will continue to suffer incalculable harm.

“You are witnesses to the preliminary findings that have emerged in the past few weeks from our investigations into corrupt practices in different sectors of Nigeria’s Public Service.

“I will leave no stone unturned in the efforts to rid Nigeria of corruption. I must however, add that in doing this, we shall operate within the ambit of the law.

“In a similar fight in the past, and armed with the might of military muscle, I led a government that required persons presumed to be corrupt to prove their innocence. Today, as committed democrats, and in a culture of deepening democracy, we respect the law that presumes all persons innocent until they are proven to be guilty.”

The President highlighted his administration’s effort to end the Boko Haram insurgency in the North East, stressing that government had been able to drive the insurgents away from the territories they controlled.

“It is almost eight months since I assumed office. In this time, we have witnessed resurgence in the morale and will of the Nigerian Armed Forces to dislodge Boko Haram from their bases in the North East.

“The changes in both command structure and operational tactics have brought about significant gains on the ground.

“The Armed Forces have been given specific instructions on rules of engagement to treat captured terrorists humanely and to avoid civilian casualties.

“It is worthy to note that when I assumed office on May 29, 2015, Boko Haram had full control of fourteen (14) Local Governments Areas in the North East, but today, the group holds no territory in Nigeria. They are hiding in Sambisa forest and occasionally undertake cowardly attacks on innocent citizens in soft targets.

“This has resulted in a dramatic improvement in the security situation in that part of the country. You are, in fact, aware that people who were once internally displaced from their homes for years are gradually returning to rebuild their homes, communities and livelihood.

“As the security situation continues to improve, and as more people return to their homes, government will spare no effort to support them with robust programmes and projects to hasten the process of rehabilitation and resettlement. The General T.Y Danjuma-led Committee has been saddled with the responsibility of coordinating these efforts,” according to President Buhari.

He thanked the international community for their support to Nigeria in the fight against terror.

The Dean of Diplomatic Corps, Saladeen Abass, in his remarks commended the President on his fight against corruption and insurgency.

He noted that the efforts were yielding results and pledged the envoys’ cooperation with the federal government in the fight.