BAMA ATTACK: OUR AMNESTY SHOULD NOT BE CONSTRUED FOR WEAKNESS – JONATHAN

Abuja—President Goodluck Jonathan has condemned Tuesday’s attack by Boko Haram insurgents in Bama, Borno State, which led to the death of 55 persons, including soldiers and policemen.

Jonathan warned that “the Federal Government’s consideration of dialogue as an option for the elimination of some current threats to security should not be seen as a weakening of its resolve and determination to use all the forces at its disposal to crush all brazen affronts to the powers and sovereignty of the Nigerian nation.’’

This was contained in a statement signed by the Special Adviser, Media and Publicity to the President, Mr Reuben Abati.

Accoording to him, “Jonathan believes that the continuation of such callous and wanton attacks of innocent Nigerians, government facilities and security formations flies in the face of ongoing efforts to establish a workable framework for dialogue and the peaceful resolution of security challenges in Northern Nigeria.’’

Jonathan, however, further extended his “sincere condolences to the families and colleagues of the soldiers, policemen and prison officials and other innocent civilians who lost their lives or were injured in the dastardly attack”, even as he asked “the armed forces and police not to be disheartened or daunted by the loss of their colleagues, but to remain focused and undeterred in discharging their responsibility for the security of lives and property in all parts of Nigeria with the assurance that the Federal Government will continue to give them “the fullest possible support to enhance their ability to meet the continuing challenges of terrorism and insurgency.”

Source: Vanguard