President Muhammadu Buhari says he is one of the unhappiest leaders in the world over the protracted attacks from bandits and kidnappers across the country.
Several states, including Zamfara and Kaduna, have come under repeated attacks by suspected hoodlums.
The attacks have left many dead and properties destroyed.
On Saturday, some protesters marched to the presidential villa in Abuja over the persistent killings in Zamfara.
In a statement by Garba Shehu, his spokesman, Buhari said his mind is constantly preoccupied with the insecurity challenges in the country.
The president described as “ridiculous”, claims that he is indifferent to the incidents.
He explained that as human, he understands the pains of the victims of the attacks.
“How can I be happy and indifferent to the senseless killings of my fellow citizens by bandits?,” Buhari asked.
“I am human and I understand the pains of the victims and their families who have been traumatized and impoverished by constant ransom demands by bandits.
“The politicisation of tragedy reveals the darkest sides of our primitive politics. Almost every week, I summon my security chiefs to get an update on the strategies being devised to defeat these mass murderers.
“There is no issue that dominates my mind every 24 hours like security because, as an elected president, protecting the citizens of my country is one of the primary functions of my administration.
“I constantly listen to our security personnel in order to understand their problems and needs, and I have never hesitated to attend to those needs in terms of motivating and equipping them to respond effectively to our security challenges.
“It is, therefore, ridiculous to suggest that I am indifferent to these killings.
“I have ordered rapid and robust deployment of troops to all the areas currently under attack from bandits and we are determined to tackle this challenge ferociously until these remorseless killers are crushed and utterly defeated.”
The president reassured Nigerians that ending banditry remains a key priority of his administration.
He added that he would do whatever it takes to ensure the country’s security system confronts the perpetrators of the crimes.
