"No cause for alarm" - Buhari opens up on planned military withdrawal

President of Nigeria, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (Rtd.), has informed Nigerians that there is "no cause for alarm" ahead of the planned withdrawal of military personnel in areas where peace has been restored.

He released a statement on his official twitter account stating clearly that the move has been structured well to avoid exposing the "communities to greater risk of attacks."

"Let me reassure Nigerians that the planned withdrawal of the military from areas where peace has been restored will be gradual and carefully planned. It will not be abrupt or arbitrary; will not be carried out in a manner that will expose communities to greater risk of attacks," he tweeted.

"There is therefore no cause for alarm, regarding the planned withdrawal. We will not do anything to jeopardise the successes already recorded by the military. We will will not expose any part of Nigeria to harm or danger."

On reasons for the withdrawal of the military he said, "The withdrawal is to allow the military focus on its primary duty of defending the nation against external aggression. It is the duty of the police to handle internal security since Nigeria is not at war.

"The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps will support the police to provide internal security."

Let me reassure Nigerians that the planned withdrawal of the military from areas where peace has been restored will be gradual and carefully planned. It will not be abrupt or arbitrary; will not be carried out in a manner that will expose communities to greater risk of attacks.

— Muhammadu Buhari (@MBuhari) January 4, 2020