‘War against terror may be difficult, but days of peace will come again’ - President Goodluck Jonathan

President Goodluck Jonathan on Thursday morning said that the unity of his country, Nigeria, is threatened by terrorism, but added the country will overcome the havoc being created by the Boko Haram insurgents.

In an 11 minute address to mark the 15th Democracy Day of the country, the President urged Nigerians not to despair expressing optimism that the country would one day witness peace.


To ensure this, he announced that he had instructed the country’s security forces to launch a full scale effort to restore the much-needed peace and that the security forces are to do this within the ambit of the law.

“Dear compatriots, it is a sad fact that as I address you today, all the gains of the past 15 years of democratic governance in our country are threatened by the presence of international terrors on our shores.

“Our dear country Nigeria is facing a new challenge. A war has been unleashed on us. Extremist foreign elements, collaborating with some of our misguided citizens, are focused on an attempt to bring down our country and the democracy we cherish and celebrate today. We cannot allow this to continue,” he said.

He further expressed acceptance of the assistance of other countries as well as patriotic citizens of the Nigeria in the effort to stamp out terrorism in the country.

Nigeria is the only country we have. We must all work to preserve it for present and future generations.

Despite the challenges faced by the country, he commended the Nigerian security forces recalling their gallantry in liberating other nations and in peace-keeping operations.

“Today, they face a different challenge, an unconventional war by terrorists. They are adjusting and being trained to tackle the new menace of terrorism.

“We must show confidence in their ability. I have no doubt that with the support of Nigerians, our neighbours and the international community would reinforce our defence, free our girls and rid Nigerians of terrorists,” he noted.

He said he shared the pains of the parents of the over 200 girls kidnapped in Chibok, Borno State, the northeastern part of the country and that government would continue to do “everything possible to bring our daughters home.”

He said in his determination to protect the country’s unity and stability, he was waging a total war against terrorism especially since the protection of lives and properties are non-negotiable.

“I have instructed our security forces to launch a full scale operation to put an end to the impunity of terrorists on our soil.

“I have also authorised the security forces to use any means necessary under the law to ensure that this is done,” he said expressing hope that the terrorists who he called thugs, would be driven away, but it can’t happen overnight and therefore, we will spare no effort to achieve this goal.”

To Nigerian citizens who are members of the sect, he said the government’s doors are open for “dialogue and reconciliation if they renounce terrorism and embrace peace.”

He said while pursuing security measures, his government would explore all options including readiness to accept unconventional renunciation of violence by insurgents including their de-radicalisation, rehabilitation and re-integration into broader society.

He appealed for unity as one way to frustrate terrorism.

“The war against terror may be difficult, but the days of peace will come again,” he promised.

He said he had ordered a low-key celebration because of the country’s current security situation, but added that the past 15 years of democratic experience have been a blessing to Nigeria and have shown that democracy is now entrenched in the country.

He also said under his government, the country had witnessed high national economic growth rate, steady improvement and expansion of national infrastructure including airports and roads, the restoration of rail transportation, the implementation of a road map for improved power supply among others, with the country now gaining global recognition as the largest economy in Africa and the fourth in the world in terms of returns on investments.