Jonathan commends security agents on fight against terrorism

President Goodluck Jonathan on Tuesday lauded the efforts of security agents to check terrorists and their activities in the country.

“The security agents have put in a lot so far toward checking the activities of the terrorists, government will continue to support and encourage them to do more for Nigeria,’’ he said in Jos.

Jonathan spoke while declaring open a three-day “Eminent Persons and Expert Groups Meeting’’ toward ending insurgencies, holding at the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Kuru, near Jos.

The president, whose speech was delivered by the Minister of Police Affairs, retired Navy Capt. Caleb Olubolade, described terrorism as “a portent threat to Nigeria today.

“Terrorism stalls social economic development, it distorts state cohesion and leads to the closure of schools, offices and truncates all other activities.

“Terrorism also causes massive relocations as people have to move to areas considered safe. It is one menace we must fight seriously.’’

He said the Federal Government was committed to bequeathing a stable nation to generations yet unborn and urged participants at the meeting to be frank in their discussions toward a safe country.

Jonathan expressed government’s commitment to a thorough investigation of the activities and strategies of terrorists and noted that the meeting was one of such key programmes to achieve that.

The president challenged Nigerians to support government’s efforts toward a better Nigeria, pointing out that only a collective resolve could arrest the threat of the terrorists.

He said that government was mobilising religious, traditional and community leaders as well as youth groups to aid the fight against terrorism.

The president said that avenues for massive employment were being initiated and implemented to take off idle hands from the streets. NAN