Governor Timipre Sylva of Bayelsa State has described the Christmas day bombings in parts of northern Nigeria as “a senseless criminal behaviour by enemies of humanity”.
He, however, pleaded with patriotic Nigerians not to be provoked into reprisals actions.
In a statement in Yenagoa, signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Doifie Ola, the Governor the act of violence in all totality as he tagged the perpetrators “Enemies of Humanity” as they targeted innocent worshippers, he therefore asked Nigerians to contribute their various efforts to the collective task of stopping the mindless terror campaign.”
Sylva commiserated with the bereaved families, the Church in Nigeria, and others.
He acknowledged that tempers were rising as a result of the dastardly acts of the extremist elements.
But the governor implored Nigerians across the country to resist any temptation to descend into retaliations.
“We should not be provoked into revenge and wasting of more lives by this senseless bloodshed by enemies of humanity.
We should rather join hands with the Federal Government in the efforts to isolate and stop the perpetrators.
“This is a time to stand together, faith with faith, nationality with nationality, and culture with culture, to confront this growing threat to our nationhood and common humanity,” Sylva said.
He said, “Jesus Christ, whose birth is being celebrated this season, is a symbol of love and peace and Mohammed, whose birth we shall also mark in the next month or two, preached peace and harmonious coexistence.
It is, therefore, difficult to figure out the source of inspiration of these attackers.”
The governor called on the security agencies to intensify their intelligence efforts with a view to nipping such terrorist attacks in the bud.