Atiku deeply saddened by Christmas Day violence

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar says he has been deeply saddened by the bombings and other acts of violence on Christmas Day leading to the loss of many lives.

He expressed his profound and heartfelt sympathies to the families of those who lost dear ones and wished  those that were injured a quick recovery.

The former Vice President while  condemning in the strongest terms the callous and wanton destruction of lives in the spate of violence  at Madalla, Gudaka, Damaturu, Maiduguri and Jos said there is no cause that could  justify the snuffing out innocent lives.

Atiku in a statement by his media office in Abuja on Tuesday warned that acts of violence as we are witnessing in the country can lead to retaliatory actions in which more and more innocents will suffer.

"It can also lead to the erosion of confidence in organized society and government setting the stage for anarchy," he said.

But this, according to the former Vice President, "is precisely the time when our support for the authorities needs to be at its strongest."

He called on all citizens without bias for religion or ethnicity to be good, kind and supportive of one another in this difficult period.

The former Vice President also urged for a greater respect for the sanctity of life and differences in culture and religion.

He reiterated that enlightenment through education, economic empowerment and constructive dialogue are a panacea to stemming this cycle of blood letting.


Signed:

Atiku Media Office
61 Ebitu Ukiwe Street
Jabi
Abuja