President Goodluck Jonathan has condemned yesterday’s attack by armed terrorists on Bama, Borno State, which claimed at least 55 lives, according to official figures. The President did not spit fire and failed to mention Boko Haram – the group suspected to have carried out the attacks – by name,

“President Jonathan believes that the continuation of such callous and wanton attacks of innocent Nigerians, government facilities and security formationsflies in the face of ongoing efforts to establish a workable framework for dialogue and the peaceful resolution of security challenges in Northern Nigeria,” said his Special Adviser on Media & Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, in a statement issued this evening.

“The President warns that the Federal Government’s consideration of dialogue as an option for the elimination of some current threats to security should not be seen as a weakening of its resolve and determination to use all the forces at its disposal to crush all brazen affronts to the powers and sovereignty of the Nigerian nation,” according to the statement.

It said that “President Jonathan extends sincere condolences to the families and colleagues of the soldiers, policemen and prison officials who lost their lives in the dastardly attack.

“The President urges the armed forces and police not to be disheartened or daunted by the loss of their colleagues, but to remain focused and undeterred in discharging their responsibility for the security of lives and property in all parts of Nigeria with the assurance that the Federal Government will continue to give the Armed Forces and Police the fullest possible support to enhance their ability to meet the continuing challenges of terrorism and insurgency.

“President Jonathan also commiserates with the families of the innocent civilians who were either killed or injured in Tuesday’s attack on Bama.”

•Photo, courtesy State House, shows part of the damage caused by the attack on Bama Prison.