Herdsmen killings: Presidency reacts to Soyinka’s advice that Nigerians should defend themselves

The Presidency has reacted to the statement credited to Nobel
Laureate, Wole Soyinka, berating President Muhammadu Buhari over the
issues of insecurity in the country.

Soyinka had on Tuesday said the Buhari's government was encouraging
the activities of killer herdsmen through its body language.

The playwright had urged Nigerians to defend themselves in the heat of
the prevailing security challenges posed by herdsmen.

But reacting to Soyinka's claim, Buhari's Special Adviser on Media and
Publicity, Femi Adesina, said security agencies were rising up to the
challenges.

Featuring on Channels television, Adesina said the federal government
would review the suggestion from the Nobel laureate.

Adesina maintained that Nigeria's security apparatus was not in a
comatose state.

He said: "What Professor Soyinka has said can just be one of the
proffered solutions which will be looked out.

"I have spoken about the nine governors' committee headed by Professor
Yemi Osinbajo who is the Vice President of the country.

"There is a security apparatus in the country which is working to
secure the country.

"Yes, there are challenges, but that apparatus is rising to those
challenges. I would not agree with you that it is failing."