President Goodluck Jonathan Tuesday said his
administration had been making progress in the war against terror as evident in
the arrest of some Boko Haram members suspected of involvement in the deadly
attacks on some prime targets.
Jonathan, in a speech during a
service at All Saints Church (Anglican Communion) in Abuja, where he worshipped
for the New Year, told the worshippers that many of the suspected terrorists
were now in custody as a result of the diligence and steadfastness of law
enforcement agents and security operatives nationwide.
According to him, among the suspected
bombers arrested were those who attacked the police force headquarters in
Abuja, the United Nations building, also in Abuja, and the Saint Theresa's
Church in Madalla, near Abuja.
The president pledged that security
agencies would be strengthened this year, just as he called for prayers from
Nigerians for government to surmount the security challenges.
He said: “The church's prayers have
been helping us to stabilise the country at the time of challenges. There was a
time the country was drifting and everyone thought the country would not endure
but the prayers rescued us.
“We shall overcome terrorism,
kidnapping and armed robbery with more prayers from the church.
“Most of the terror suspects have
been arrested. Most people will not know what the security agencies have been
doing. The people who bombed the police headquarters, UN House and St.
Theresa's Catholic Church in Madalla have been arrested. We will continue to
improve the nation’s security architecture.”
Jonathan assured Nigerians that the
New Year would be better for the country, as the Federal Government would focus
on providing employment to many people and encouraging entrepreneurship.
Earlier in his sermon, Primate of the
Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), Rev. Nicholas Okoh, said the Anglican
Church all over the world was celebrating the naming and circumcision of Jesus
Christ as well as the New Year.
He urged Nigerians, including the
clergy, businessmen, civil servants and politicians, to purify their hearts.
He
also challenged teachers and academics as well as students who dress indecently
on campuses to “circumcise their hearts”.
He chastised market women who sell fake products, transporters, who hike fares during festive periods, kidnappers, armed robbers and members of the Boko Haram sect for their various misdeeds and urged them to turn a new leaf in the New Year.
He chastised market women who sell fake products, transporters, who hike fares during festive periods, kidnappers, armed robbers and members of the Boko Haram sect for their various misdeeds and urged them to turn a new leaf in the New Year.
According to him, traditional rulers
and university authorities who sell doctoral degrees and titles to those who
are not worthy of them also need to “circumcise their hearts”.
The president was accompanied to the
church by his mother, the Minister of Police Affairs, Capt. Caleb Olubolade
(rtd) and Minister of State for the Federal Capital Territory, Ms. Olajumoke
Akinjide
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