"Terrorists will not go scot-free" - President Goodluck Jonathan

President Goodluck Jonathan has assured Nigerians that insurgents unleashing mayhem on the northeast will not get away with their crimes, but will be decisively dealt with.

Speaking on Thursday in a New Year’s Day broadcast, Jonathan also vowed to deal decisively with politicians who are bent on causing trouble during and after the 2015 elections.

“Regrettably, terrorists have unleashed much pain and agony on our land. They have made widows of our mothers and sisters and orphans of our children.

“They have shut down businesses, desecrated places of worship and brought untold hardship to both men and women. They have violated the culture and peaceful way of life in our country, which took generations to build. They have destroyed countless schools and displaced people from their communities, driving them into exile.

“I want to assure you that the terrorists will not get away with their atrocities: they will not win; they will be routed. As president, I feel the pain of all affected communities and families. I hear their cries and share their sorrow and pain.

“We will not forget; we will not look the other way. We have done a lot of painstaking planning and work to resolve the current security challenge. We will bring justice to the savage terrorists known as Boko Haram. They will be defeated.

“That is the solemn commitment I make today as president of the federal republic, and commander-in-chief of our armed forces.”

Recalling the violence that assailed the 2011 elections, Jonathan emphasised that his government would not tolerate any form of violence during and after the 2015 elections.

He urged politicians to shun hate, sectionalism, disunity and intolerance, instead put the people first in their agenda.

“I will like to say this, once again, to my fellow politicians and political leaders. None of our political ambitions is worth the blood of any of our countrymen, women and children,” he said.

“The improvement of their lives and living conditions ought to be our primary motive and the driving force of our quest for political power and leadership positions.

Credit: The Cable