Muhammadu_buhari Furious Buhari blasts Boko Haram

Former Head of State, General Muhammadu Buhari, has condemned the threat by Boko Haram leader, Abubakar Shekau, as released in a video, describing it as “a manifestation of the mindlessness of the bigots.”

In a statement yesterday, on the abduction of Borno schoolgirls, the second in about three weeks, Buhari called the insurgents “misguided persons masquerading as adherents of Islam,” while stating that they should not be allowed to threaten the sovereignty of the country.

“That horrific video posted on the Internet is a clear manifestation of the mindlessness of the bigots. It shows them for whom they are. Such men cannot threaten nor should they be allowed to violate our sovereignty. It is clear from what they profess that they are not followers of God. They do not mean well for our country and her citizens. I am a Muslim. I am versed in the teaching of Christianity and I understand both religions to seek peaceful co-existence of all humanity,” Buhari said.

He stated that there is no justification in killing of innocent Nigerians, insisting that no place in the Bible and Quran was such an act supported. He commended the international community for teaming up with Nigeria to fight Boko Haram.

According to him, “I wish to reiterate that there is no justification whatsoever for this unrestrained disregard for the sanctity of human life. It has no place in the Holy Quran and neither does it have a place in the Holy Bible.

“Let these people know that the entire civilised world is united against their terrorist act. We are grateful to the world for standing by Nigeria at this trying time. We hope and pray that the young ladies will be reunited with their respective families in the days to come.”

Buhari praised the Federal Government and the Armed Forces for working to ensure Nigerians’ safety, while saying: “We believe that more could still be done to ensure the safety of Nigerians and the Nigerian nation. We are therefore, glad that the Federal Government has accepted international support in the search for the missing girls and for an end to the insurgency in parts of the country.

“I fought for a united Nigeria. In my old age, I want my grandchildren, your grandchildren, our youths and indeed, all Nigerians to benefit from a prosperous and united country devoid of sectarian violence whether home-grown or imposed on us from outside.”

He warned that nobody should play politics with the ugly events in the country, adding: “Now is also not the time to trade blames and amplify our ideological differences. The unity of Nigeria is not negotiable and nothing should divide us as a people. I therefore urge all Nigerians at home and in the Diaspora to support the country in her effort to bring an end to this attack on defenceless citizens and indeed, a united nation.  We must put aside all other considerations and ensure that our country Nigeria pulls together now so as to recover our sovereignty. After all, we all know that Nigeria is the only country we have that we can call our own.”

He condoled with families of those who lost dear ones, “in this cycle of senseless violence,” stating: “We also empathise with the parents of children whose daughters are in the custody of a group of anarchists.”