The Nigerian presidency says challenging as the security situation of the country is, citizens still have reasons to thank because things are lot better under the Buhari regime.

President Muhammadu Buhari’s media adviser, Femi Adesina made the assertion on Friday morning while appearing on a Channels TV programme.

“As challenging as security is, even now, we are still not where we were,” Mr Adesina said.

“You would look at some areas of security, if you are true and dispassionate and you will have cause to thank God that things are better in this area.”

“There some areas of security where things are a lot better than they used to be. There are still some challenging areas. But there is assurance and hope that other areas will also be sorted out within the lifespan of this administration,” Mr Adesina added. 

Mr Adesina’s statement comes less than 24 hours after more than 70 schoolchildren were kidnapped in Zamfara State. A Nigeria Air Force jet on reconnaissance mission had in July been downed by bandits operating in Zamfara.

Though Mr Buhari promised to tackle insecurity in the country, insecurity has assumed a more frightening trajectory under his watch as bandits and unknown gunmen continue to terrorise the citizens.

Bandits have in several coordinated attacks killed and abducted citizens in hundreds, in Katsina, Kebbi, Niger, Kaduna and Zamfara State, forcing school closure at different  intervals. 

Governor Aminu Masari of Katsina State recently lamented the increase in banditry activities in his state. He later urged citizens to take to self defence.

Mr Masari said 10 out of 34 local government in Mr Buhari’s home state, Katsina, are under the control of bandits.