President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday commiserated with the families of Precious Owolabi, a National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member with Channels Television, and Deputy Commissioner of Police, Usman Umar, of the Federal Capital Territory Police Command.
Both of them were killed on Monday during the violent protest by members of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN) in Abuja.
A statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, said the President also condoled with the management and staff of the television station and police leadership over the loss, urging them to remain steadfast and committed to their professional callings.
Describing Owolabi and Umar as “law-abiding, hardworking and vibrant Nigerians with a promising future,” President Buhari called their untimely deaths “sad, regrettable and worrisome.”
Sequel to his directive to the leadership of security and law enforcement agencies to safeguard the nation against such mindless attacks, the President reassured residents of Abuja in particular and the country in general to go about their lawful activities without fear.
“President Buhari adds that perpetrators of the mayhem will not go unpunished, stressing that no government can tolerate unceasing affront to constituted authority.
According to the President, “Let nobody or group doubt or test our will to act in the higher interest of majority of our citizens.”
“He prays God Almighty to grant rest to the souls of the departed and speedy recovery to the injured,” the statement added.
This is just as the President also on Monday commended Aircraftman (ACM) Bashir Umar for reportedly returning lost but found sum of 37,000 Euros to the owner.
Describing such honesty by ACM Umar of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) Mobile Air Defence Team at the Hajj Camp Market in Kano as “uncommon, patriotic and exemplary,” the President enjoined Nigerians, especially the youth, to emulate such worthy gesture.
According to President Buhari, “Honesty and integrity will always remain admirable virtues, notwithstanding challenges before any country.”
He also applauded the leadership of the NAF for its decision to “reward the airman so as to encourage other personnel of the Service to continue to embody attitudes and behaviours that reflect NAF’s core values of Integrity, Excellence and Service Delivery.”
