President Muhammadu Buhari has assured the President of Mali, Boubacar Keita, of Nigeria’s support in combating extremism after Friday’s jihadist attack on a Radisson Blu hotel in Bamako in which 170 persons were taken hostage and later released.
In a statement through his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, the president joined other peace-loving nations of the world in condemning the attacks.
“President Buhari assures President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita and the people of Mali of the full support and solidarity of the Federal Government and people of Nigeria as they mourn those who lost their lives in the attack and strive to bring the surviving perpetrators to justice,” the statement said.
The statement read in part: “The President also extends heartfelt condolences to the governments and people of China, Russia, the United States and Belgium whose nationals sadly lost their lives in the heinous and callous attack.
“Against the background of persisting atrocities in Nigeria and other countries across the world, President Buhari calls once again for an intensification of international cooperation against all known terrorist organisations, their collaborators and sponsors.
“The President reaffirms that Nigeria, under his leadership, remains committed to deploying all necessary resources and working with friendly nations, regional, continental and global organisations to speedily overcome the continuing threat of terrorism to world peace and security.”