President Goodluck Jonathan on Thursday commiserated with President Francois Hollande and the people of France as they mourn the victims of Wednesday’s terrorist attack.
In a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, the President described the attack as senseless and unjustifiable.
He further described it as an assault on freedom of expression.
He assures Hollande and the people of France that Nigeria stands in full solidarity with them in their mourning period.
The statement read, “President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, the Federal Government and people of Nigeria extend heartfelt condolences to President Francois Hollande and the people of France as they mourn the victims of yesterday’s (Wednesday’s) dastardly terrorist attack.
“President Jonathan and Nigeria join the rest of the civilised world in condemning the
heinous, senseless and totally unjustifiable killing of journalists and other persons during the attack on the satirical magazine, Charlie Hebdo.
“The President believes that the cowardly and ignoble attack by violent extremists is a monstrous assault on the right to freedom of expression.
“President Jonathan also sees the attack on Charlie Hebdo as another manifestation of the depravity and brutality which the world has to contend with in what must become a truly collective effort by lovers of peace, progress and freedom across the globe to rout the agents of darkness and retrogression
“The President assures President Hollande and the people of France that Nigeria stands in full solidarity with them on this day of national mourning for those who lost their lives at the hands of terrorists in Paris yesterday.
“Noting that France has been a strong ally and dependable partner in strengthening regional cooperation in the fight against terrorism in Nigeria, West Africa and Africa as a whole, President Jonathan pledges that his administration will continue to work with the French government and other friendly governments in all continents to end the scourge of global terrorism.
“President Jonathan urges media practitioners worldwide not to be discouraged or disheartened by the brutal murder of their colleagues in Paris yesterday, but to remain strong and fearless in pursuit of truth and the defence of human rights and freedom of expression.
“The President prays that God almighty will comfort the people of France, especially the bereaved families and grant speedy recovery to all those who were injured in yesterday’s attack.”
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