President Goodluck Jonathan last night condemned the renewed Boko Haram attacks in Kano, Kaduna and Adamawa states, describing the use of woman suicide bombers as representing “a low in the inhuman campaign by the terrorists”.
The President’s message was contained in a statement by presidential spokesman Reuben Abati.
Bu the terrorists were unrelenting in their violence campaign as it emerged yesterday that four soldiers were killed along 40 civilians in the attacks on Garkida, Gombi Local Government Area of Adamawa State.
The gunmen, it was gathered, attacked a military base at Garkikda, when the killings took place.
Adamawa State Acting Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri commiserated with the Lamido Adamawa, Alhaji Barkindo Aliyu Mustapha, over the incident yesterday during a Sallah visit.
The acting governor said: “As a government, we really feel bad for the unfortunate incident which took place in your territory where four Nigerian soldiers and innocent citizens were reportedly killed by insurgents.’’
The Army authority in Yola and the Adamawa State police confirmed the killings, but gave no further details.
An eyewitness said: “They first struck at a military check point at our border with Borno State after a gun battle with soldiers for almost 30 minutes. The attackers then proceeded to a nearby village which they attacked for another half hour before entering Garkida.
“ In Garkida, they launched attacks at the military and police bases. We are forced to stay back in our houses. Right now, I can hear heavy gunfire,” a resident said on telephone.
Garkida is close to Agwan Alade, where armed men suspected to be members of the Boko Haram sect, waylaid the convoy of three Borno State First Class emirs, killing the emir of Gwoza.
The town is also under Gombi Local Government Area where a German expatriate, Mr. Nitsch Eberhard, was abducted in front of his house about three weeks ago.
The statement by the Presidential spokesman said: “President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan wholeheartedly condemns the recent terrorist attacks in Kano and Adamawa States as well as the kidnap of the Lamido of Kolofata in Northern Cameroon, Lamido Seini Lamine and the wife of the Vice Prime Minister of Cameroon.
“The President describes as shocking, callous and reprehensible the multiple bomb blasts that occurred in Kano within 24 hours, and the unrelenting attacks by the Boko Haram at a time the Muslim faithful are observing the holy festival of Eid el Fitri.
“He commiserates with the families of all those who lost their loved ones in the Kano and Adamawa attacks and wishes the injured speedy recovery.
“President Jonathan further notes that the deployment of young women as suicide bombers represents a new low in the inhuman campaign by these terrorists and an expression of utter disregard for the dignity of the female gender as well as a wicked exploitation of the girl-child.
“The President states that the abduction of the Lamido of Kolofata and the wife of the Vice premier of Cameroon clearly underscores the regional security threat that Boko Haram has become.
“He welcomes the recent resolve by the Defence Ministers of Nigeria, Cameroon, Chad, Benin and Niger to further strengthen existing partnerships in order to forestall the desperate attempt by misguided elements to turn the sub-region into a battleground for terrorism and radical extremism.
“President Jonathan urges the security forces to remain resolute, and not be discouraged by the desperation of the agents of evil. He believes that with the continued cooperation between Nigeria’s security forces and their counterparts in neighbouring countries, the war against terror will surely be won.”
Comments
Post a Comment