PRESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari condemned the killing of 70 people in Zaroumdareye, a border town between the Republic of Niger and Mali, by militants, and described the incident as another call for united action by African leaders against terrorism.
President Buhari, while reacting to Sunday’s incident in Abuja, said: “I am deeply shocked by the large-scale death of innocent people at the hands of these callous militants who disregard the sanctity of human life.”
The president, in a statement issued by his senior special assistant for media and publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu in Abuja, said last night: “We are facing serious security challenges due to the evil campaign of indiscriminate violence by terrorists in the Sahel and the single united action can help us defeat these fierce enemies of humanity. “
He stated that “terrorism has now become a contagion of evil that can spread at any time if united action is not taken.”
President Buhari said “instability in one part of Africa had implications for the security of others.”
He recalled that “the destabilization of Libya in 2011 is producing domino effects on the security of other African countries such as Nigeria, Niger, Chad, Cameroon and others.
“The looting of Libyan armories in the wake of Gaddafi’s fall has placed dangerous weapons in the hands of terrorists and other criminals who now pose security challenges to other countries.
“We are united by common destiny and therefore we must act in concert to defeat these evil men who attack innocent people.
“Let me take this opportunity to express my deepest condolences for the government, the people of Niger and the families of the victims,” said President Buhari.
