Jonathan condemns terror attacks in Kano, Adamawa, Cameroon

Abuja - President Goodluck Jonathan on Monday said he
``wholeheartedly condemned’’ the recent terrorist attacks in Kano and
Adamawa states.
The president also denounced the kidnap of Seini Lamine, the Lamido
of Kolofata in Northern Cameroon, and the wife of the vice- prime
minister of Cameroon, by Boko Haram insurgents.
Dr Reuben Abati, the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the
President, said in a statement that Jonathan described the multiple
bomb blasts that occurred in Kano within 24 hours of each other as
shocking and reprehensible.
The media reports that Kano has witnessed multiple bomb attacks by
Boko Haram elements, using female suicide bombers, since Sunday.
The president said that the attacks were callous considering the fact
that they came at a time Muslims were observing the holy festival of
Eid-el-Fitr.
“Jonathan notes that the deployment of young women as suicide
bombers represents a new low in the inhuman campaign by these
terrorists.”
“It is an expression of utter disregard for the dignity of the female
gender as well as a wicked exploitation of the girl-child,” the
statement said.
The president also noted that the abduction of the Lamido of Kolofata
and the wife of the vice-premier of Cameroon, clearly underscored
the regional security threat that Boko Haram had become.
Jonathan welcomed the recent resolve by the Defence Ministers of
Nigeria, Cameroon, Chad, Benin and Niger to further strengthen
existing partnerships.
It said that the partnerships were aimed at forestalling “the
desperate attempt by misguided elements to turn the sub-region into
a battleground for terrorism and radical extremism.”
“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.”
“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,’’ the statement said.
- NAN