President Umaru Yaradua has expressed deep concern
over the kidnap of a three yesr old british girl by
Niger Delta Militants in portharcourt and has directed
all security agencies in the country to ensure her
safe return to her parenets.
In a statement in Abuja yesterday, president Yaradua
regretted that despite the efforts of her
administration to improve the situation in the Niger
delta region some persons still prefer to resort to
hostage taking.
The statement signed by the special Adviser to the
president on Communications, Segun Adeniyi reads:
“President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua is deeply concerned
that in spite of his Administration’s firm commitments
to the people of the region and its ongoing efforts to
give full effect to its plans for the Niger Delta,
incidents of the kidnapping of oil workers and
innocent citizens continue to be reported in the area.
“President Yar’Adua is particularly troubled by the
kidnapping yesterday of an innocent three-year old
girl who was on her way to school. He has directed
the security agencies to make every possible effort to
ensure that she is returned to her family unharmed and
he remains in touch with all efforts being made to
secure the girl’s release.
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“The President’s thoughts and best wishes are with her
parents and relatives in their anguish which he hopes
will be speedily relieved by her safe return. “He believes that no political or economic grievance
can possibly justify the recourse to the kidnapping of
an innocent three-year old child.
“The Yar’Adua Administration remains fully committed
to the rapid resolution of the problems of the people
of the Niger Delta. This commitment is underscored by
the visit of Vice President Goodluck Jonathan to the
region last week in the course of which he held useful
talks with leaders of some of the militant groups.
“President Yar’Adua therefore appeals once again for a
total cessation of all acts of violence in the region,
the release of little Miss Margaret Hill and all other
hostages as well as the institution of a regional
consensus to give his administration a chance to
fulfill its plans to address the long-standing
grievances of the people of the Niger Delta”.