Sunday, March 11, 2012

Nigerian President Writes British, Italian Prime Ministers After Failed Hostage Rescue

Slain Foreigners: Jonathan Writes British, Italian Prime Ministers

Sunday, 11 March 2012 00:00
From Madu Onuorah, Abuja News
Nigerian Guardian

PRESIDENT Jonathan yesterday, formally commiserated with the families, people and governments of both Britain and Italy on the “unfortunate” killing of Chris McManus, a British citizen and Franco Lamorina, an Italian, by their Boko Haram captors during last Thursday’s rescue attempt on them in Sokoto State.

In two separate letters of condolence to British Prime Minister, David Cameron and his Italian counterpart, Mario Monti, President Jonathan said that the hearts of the people and government of Nigeria go out to members of the immediate families of the victims in their moment of grief.

A statement by Presidential Spokesman, Dr Reuben Abati, quoted President Jonathan as assuring the leaders of both countries that “the Nigerian Government remains resolutely committed to facing up squarely to the challenge of terrorism on our shores and in the international community.”

The full statement reads: “Further to his statement last Thursday condemning the unfortunate killing of Chris McManus, a British citizen and Franco Lamorina, an Italian, by their Boko Haram captors in Sokoto State, President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, yesterday, formally commiserated with the families, people and governments of both Europeans.

“In two separate letters of condolence to David Cameron and Mario Monti, the Prime Ministers of Britain and Italy respectively which were delivered through diplomatic channels, President Jonathan said that the hearts of the people and government of Nigeria go out to the members of the immediate families of the victims in their moment of grief, while praying that “Almighty God imbues them with the fortitude to cope with this painful tragedy.”

“President Jonathan also assured the leaders of both countries that “the Nigerian Government remains resolutely committed to facing up squarely to the challenge of terrorism on our shores and in the international community.”

“While describing as “invaluable” the cooperation the Nigerian Government had enjoyed from both Prime Ministers in the fight against terrorism in the country, the President expressed the belief that as “we join forces with the rest of the world in frontally confronting the menace of terrorism in all ramifications,” the special relations and strong ties that exist among the three nations “can only grow deeper and stronger.”

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