Acting President Yemi Osinbajo has sent a strong message to Boko Haram insurgents that the Federal Government would never be intimidated by their attacks in its resolve to grow the current crude oil reserve base through potential exploration in the Lake Chad Basin.
Professor Osinbajo, who reacted to Boko Haram insurgents’ ambush, attack and abduction of soldiers and civilians who were carrying out their duties to the Nation in the Lake Chad Basin Frontier Exploration, stressed that the government will by no means be dissuaded.
“Some of these extraordinarily selfless Nigerians from the NNPC and the University Of Maiduguri put their lives on the line that we and generations to come will enjoy the resources of this land. We will never forget that sacrifice.”
The Acting President acknowledged that pockets of terrorists have been launching attacks recently in Borno State, but assured the people of the State, the region and all Nigerians that the government “is not only on top of the situation, but will define the end of these atrocities by both winning the war and winning the peace in the North-east.”
He commended the diligence of the management and staff of the NNPC and the lecturers as well as consultants from the University of Maiduguri in pursuing the exploration project, even as he ordered the continuation of search and rescue missions to locate and ensure the freedom of the remaining abducted persons as soon as possible.
Acting President Osinbajo commended the resilience, courage and bravery of officers and men of the Nigerian Armed Forces for their gallant endeavours and sacrifices for the peace, security and territorial integrity of our country.
He acknowledged the supreme price which the soldiers who died in the operation have paid and assured that the welfare of the families of the soldiers would be given priority. [myad]
