Acting President Yemi Osinbajo

Acting President Yemi Osinbajo, has ordered the Army to continue the search and rescue of all persons abducted in the ambush and attack of soldiers, and civilians who were coming back to Maiduguri, Borno State from oil exploration duties in the Lake Chad Basin Frontier early last week by Boko Haram terrorist group.

In a statement signed by Laolu Akande, his spokesperson on Sunday, the Acting President directed the military to rescue the persons as soon as possible, using all available and expedient means in the circumstances even as he vowed that “justice would be pursued for the victims and against those who engage in this kind of unacceptable, criminal and terrorist conduct.”

Over 50 persons made up of geologists and lecturers from University of Maiduguri, staff of Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, soldiers and civilian volunteers have been confirmed dead so far while about eight persons are still missing.

Boko Haram has released a video purportedly showing three of the missing University staff abducted by its militants during the ambush of the exploration team.

Osinbajo described that attack as appalling.

While defending the decision of government to continue with the exploration exercise in the oil basin, the Acting President noted that “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.”

Osinbajo commiserated with the families, relatives and associates of those who lost their lives in the despicable onslaught and wishes the injured speedy recovery.

The Acting President also recalled that after an emergency meeting with the Military chiefs on Thursday, he had issued fresh directives to the Nigerian military and all security agencies to immediately scale-up their efforts and activities in Borno State in order to maintain a strong, effective control of the situation and secure lives and property.

“While commending the military for the progress already recorded with the rescue of some of the abducted, Osinbajo has 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 adds that justice would be pursued for the victims and against those who engage in this kind of unacceptable, criminal and terrorist conduct.

“Acting President Osinbajo pays tribute to the resilience, courage and bravery of officers and men of the Nigerian Armed Forces for their gallant endeavours and sacrifices for the peace, security and territorial integrity of our country.

“He also eulogized Nigerian soldiers who have paid the ultimate price in this mission and others linked to the current insurgency, and gives a firm assurance that the welfare of the families of the soldiers will be prioritized,” the Acting President was quoted as saying by his spokesperson.

The Acting President was also quoted as commending the diligence of the management and staff of the NNPC, and the lecturers/consultants from the University of Maiduguri in pursuing Federal Government’s resolve to grow Nigeria’s current crude oil reserve base through potential exploration in the Lake Chad Basin.

He stressed that the government will by no means be dissuaded.

He said: “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”

The Acting President also assured that although pockets of terrorists have been launching attacks recently in Borno State, Federal Government is not only on top of the situation, but will define the end of these atrocities by both winning the war and winning the peace in the North-east.