“I want to assure you that the terrorists will not get away with their atrocities: they will not win; they will be routed. As President, I feel the pain of all affected communities and families. I hear their cries and share their sorrow and pain.”
These were the words of President Goodluck Jonathan in his New Year broadcast to the nation thins morning.
He added: “we will not forget; we will not look the other way. We have done a lot of painstaking planning and work to resolve the current security challenge. We will bring justice to the savage terrorists known as Boko Haram. They will be defeated. That is the solemn commitment I make today as President of the Federal Republic, and Commander-in-Chief of our Armed Forces.”
He saw the Boko Haram insurgency and other forms of security problems as the normal challenges of nation-building and the unusual challenges, adding that that his government had continued to vigorously confront those who seek to destroy the bonds of unity that hold us together.
He regretted that terrorists have unleashed much pain and agony on the country, saying they have made widows of our mothers and sisters and orphans of our children. They have shut down businesses, desecrated places of worship and brought untold hardship to both men and women. They have violated the culture and peaceful way of life in our country, which took generations to build.
“They have destroyed countless schools and displaced people from their communities, driving them into exile.
While paying special tribute to the gallant officers, men and women of the Nigerian Armed Forces and other security agencies who have been in the forefront of the war against terrorism and violent extremism in Nigeria and sub-region, President Jonathan assured that his government is re-equipping and re-positioning the armed forces to enhance their capacity to win the ongoing war against terror and insurgency.
He also commend all Nigerians who have remained vigilant and cooperative with our security agencies in the fight against the common enemy.
Jonathan stressed that despite the challenges, 2015 signifies that a new nation is being born, “because of the foundations we have all laid, working together for the good and progress of our dear fatherland.”
He reaffirmed his commitment to work to ensure a secure future for the country and the generations yet unborn. [myad]
