President Muhammadu Buhari has sympathized with the victims of the twin bomb explosions in Kuje and Nyanya, the satellite towns of Abuja, the nation’s federal capital last night. He also commiserated with victims of similar blasts in Borno state during the week.
A statement by the senior special assistant to the President on media and publicity, Garba Shehu, quoted President Buhari as saying that his government is determined to rid the country of extremism as a way of eradicating violence in the country.
The President, who spoke when he received a briefing from a fact-finding team that he sent to the parts of the FCt that were attacked yesterday evening, said that for terrorism to be uprooted from the country, the society must be rid of violent extremism.
“The defeat of Boko Haram insurgency is in sight but to remove violence and make the country safe, we must tackle the prevalence of violent extremism. In doing this, we will learn from the experience of the international community.”
President Buhari directed the security services to raise their surveillance activities to meet the challenges of a retreating desperate terrorist and asked the general public to remain acutely aware of security in and around them.
The fact-finding team visited the Kuje and Nyanya bombing sites and greeted victims of the incidents at the National Hospital and the Maitama General Hospital. They inspected the wards and mortuaries and consoled grieving family members on behalf of the President.
The fact-finding team was made up of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Engr. Babachir David Lawal, the Chief of Staff, Malam Abba Kyari, the Permanent Secretary Ministry of Health and that of the Federal Capital Territory as well as the police commissioner in charge of the FCT. [myad]