Nigerians must stand with Buhari to degrade Boko Haram, says Atiku

Atiku Abubakar, former Nigerian vice-president, has condemned Sunday’s twin attacks in Jos, calling on Nigerians to support President Muhammadu Buhari in the quest to tackle insurgency.

In a statement signed on his behalf by Paul Ibe, his media aide, Atiku also condemned the killings in Maiduguri and Potiskum.

The statement quoted Atiku as describing the perpetrators of the acts as “blood-sucking vermin”.

“I am gutted. I am saddened. I am heartbroken by the murder of scores of innocent souls in Jos late Sunday night,” the statement read.

“That this particular attack came when people were in the sanctuary of the mosque for the Ramadan fasting prayer makes the attack more heart-wrenching.

“There can be no justification for this wicked and satanic assault against these worshippers and our common humanity.”

Atiku denied that the insurgents were fighting the cause of Islam, saying: “Clearly, these terrorists are not adherents of any civilised religion, and clearly they are not respecters of God.

“Sadly, the victims of the Jos explosions add to the long list of fatalities of terror in Nigeria.

“However, as painful as these killings are, we must remain resolute in standing with President Muhammadu Buhari as the government explores every possible avenue and initiative to degrade terrorism in our country.

“The losses and trauma that come with terror attacks is often piercing, but we must never lose focus of our common conviction in victory.”

Atiku expressed confidence that the measures being adopted by government would eventually ensure the decimation and defeat of the insurgents.

He sent his heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims of the Jos, Maiduguri and Potiskum attacks and prayed that God would grant the dead eternal rest and comfort to their loved ones.