No Nigerian life deserves to be taken prematurely, President Buhari declares
*Re-iterates his vow to fish out perpetrators, sponsors of killings
*As Tambuwal, Lalong, Masari task religious leaders on peace, unity
Nigeria’s President Muhammadu Buhari has said under no circumstances would his government allow that unjustified killing of any Nigerian, adding that no Nigerian life deserves to be taken prematurely.
The President assured that criminals who perpetrate the heinous acts and their sponsors would be fished out and brought to justice as, according to him, Nigeria belongs to all and so that his administration would continue to deliver its change mantra to provide security, fight corruption and improve the economy for the betterment of the people.
He gave the assurance in Sokoto weekend while declaring open the second plenary of the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria.
The President, represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr. Boss Mustapha, said: “No Nigerian life deserves to be taken prematurely. I swore to protect the lives and properties of Nigeria’s and I remain committed to that pledge.”
He said his administration had backed up the fight against religious fundamentalism and insurgency with political will and military action.
He also assured that his administration would find a sustainable solution to herdsmen-farmers clashes in the country.
He stated that his government would continue to provide a free and safe environment that would accommodate every tribe and creed.
The president said: “Nigeria belongs to all of us and as such, we will continue to deliver on our change mantra to provide security; fight corruption and improve the economy for the betterment of all Nigerians.”
He reiterated the commitment of his government to collaborating with religious bodies in the development and management of schools.
He urged the bishops to use the conference to pray, study and deliberate on important issues concerning the evangelization of the church on Nigeria, the pastoral care of the faithful and the promotion of human dignity, human rights, truth, justice, reconciliation, peace and wholesome development of the Nigeria society.
In his goodwill message, Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal of Sokoto State described the conference as a critical forum for the promotion of national unity and peaceful coexistence in Nigeria.
He tasked religious leaders to stand firmly as a bulwark against vices such as corruption, armed robbery, kidnapping, unconscionable shedding of innocent blood and the wanton destruction of property by not only exposing perpetrators but sanctioning those within their folds.
Similarly, the governor of Plateau State, Simon Lalong, urged religious leaders to support governments in their efforts to bring lasting peace, unity and development to the country.
Katsina State Governor Aminu Masari, represented by the Commissioner for Information, urged politicians to desist from making inflammatory remarks capable of creating disunity in the country.
