Acting President Yemi Osinbajo has condemned last week’s ambush, attack and abduction of soldiers and civilians who were carrying out their duties in the Lake Chad Basin Frontier Exploration.
He said: “The objective of this patriotic exercise is to open up new areas for oil exploration for the common good of all Nigerians. The terrorist attack resulted in a number of deaths of hardworking and innocent Nigerians, and the abduction of some”.
While commiserating with the families, relatives and associates of those who lost their lives, he issued directives to security chiefs to ensure the rescue of those kidnapped by Boko Haram elements.
While commending the military for the progress already recorded with the rescue of some of those abducted, Osinbajo also ordered the continuation of search and rescue missions to locate and ensure the freedom of all remaining abducted persons as soon as possible, using all available and expedient means in the circumstances.
He added that “justice would be pursued for the victims and against those who engage in this kind of unacceptable, criminal and terrorist conduct”.
Osinbajo eulogised the soldiers “who paid the ultimate price in this mission”, giving a firm assurance that the welfare of the families of the soldiers will be prioritised.
He also commended the diligence of the management and staff of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and the lecturers/consultants from the University of Maiduguri (UNIMAID) “in pursuing Federal Government’s resolve to grow our country’s current crude oil reserve base through potential exploration in the Lake Chad Basin”.
“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”
He assured Nigerians that the government “will win the war and win the peace in the North-East”.