Buhari expresses sadness over Wednesday’s terrorists attack in Niger State

*Vows to deal with perpetrators

President Muhammadu Buhari, on Friday, condemned the terrorists attack in Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State, which resulted in the killing of both soldiers and civilians.

Buhari regretted that the war against terrorism is taking its toll on all citizens.

The president described it as a direct assault on Nigeria, which will not be allowed to go unpunished.

According to a statement by Garba Shehu, Senior Special Assistant to the President (Media & Publicity), Buhari paid tributes to the gallant men of the security forces who lost their lives in the process of defending the attack.

The statement quoted the president as saying: “We honour our security forces, and particularly those brave souls who have given their lives fighting against the evil that is terrorism. They constitute the best that Nigeria has to offer and we remember each of them.

“Sadly, Nigeria’s fight against terrorism continues. It is a battle that is taking its toll on all of us. But we shall not relent, nor shall we surrender.

“We say it again that we have reduced Boko Haram to a shell of its former self. But terrorists are parasites. They thrive when the world is suffering.

“This atrocity only serves to further strengthen us against them. Nigeria is united in obliterating these demons. Each day we grow closer to that goal. When they lash out during times of global suffering it is the act of a cornered animal, an act of desperation.

“As always, their goal is the same: to sow fear and division amongst us. We will not let them.

“Instead let us pray for the families and loved ones of those who sacrificed their lives in the fight against evil, and let us pray for the safe and speedy return of those abducted. We will do everything possible to ensure their return.

“And to the sadists, I say this: we are coming. No matter what rock you crawl under, what hole you sink into, what lie you hide behind, we are coming and we will find you. Shiroro will see justice. Nigeria will know peace,” the President assured.

According to the Director of Army Public Relations, Brigadier General Onyema Nwachukwu, the incident occurred on Wednesday.

Gen Nwachukwu explained that troops deployed in Niger State responded to a distress call that a mining site in Shiroro Local Government Area was under attack by bandits.

“En route to the location, the troops ran into an ambush staged by the criminal elements. Sadly, a number of personnel paid the supreme price in the fierce firefight that ensued,” said Nwachukwu who did not give the specific number of security operatives killed by the outlaws.

“Subsequently, the location has been reinforced and troops are on the trail of the criminals with some already neutralised. The General Officer Commanding (GOC) 1 Division has moved to the location to take charge of the follow-on operations.

“The NA notes that some clips of the incident have surfaced online and wish to encourage well-meaning Nigerians to exercise some restraint in posting images of such occurrence, mindful that our brothers and sisters who may have lost their breadwinners deserve to be properly notified and not to get such information via the media,” Nwachukwu stated.

“We mention this, mindful of the inalienable rights of citizens to use the social media which is respected. It is also necessary to clarify that the activities of the criminals were not on any critical national asset or infrastructure.

“Furthermore, the NA calls on all Nigerians to continue to support the efforts of their military personnel who continue to confront the enemies of our dear nation.”