Nigeria’s President, Muhammadu Buhari, has condemned Friday’s coordinated attacks in Paris, France, and called for multilateral cooperation and collaborative actions to end terrorism.
President Buhari, in a statement by his spokesman, Mr Femi Adesina, strongly condemned the attacks that left at least 127 persons dead while at least 180 others were injured.
The President said he received the news of the attack with great shock and profound sadness.
“President Buhari condemns the dastardly and heinous terrorist attacks on innocent civilians in Paris,” the statement read.
After the attacks, a terror group, Islamic State, issued a statement claiming responsibility.
“Unacceptable Affront To Human Values”
The statement from the Nigerian Presidency read: “On behalf of the government and people of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Buhari conveys his heartfelt sympathy to President Francois Hollande and the people France.
“The President also extends sincere condolences to the families, relatives and friends of the unfortunate victims of the callous attacks”.
Mr Buhari further said that the attacks constituted an “unacceptable affront to all human values and civilized norms”.
“As a country which has borne the terrible human cost of terrorist attacks, Nigeria stands in full solidarity with the government and people of France as they mourn those who have sadly lost their lives in the attack on Paris,” President Buhari stated.
Reiterating a call he made during an African Summit in South Africa and the G7 Summit earlier in the year, President Buhari stressed the need for “peace-loving nations of the world to intensify ongoing multilateral cooperation and collaborative actions aimed at bringing the scourge of international terrorism to a speedy end for the benefit of all nations”.
An Art Of War
The French President, Francois Hollande, has promised to wage a merciless fight against terrorists, describing the the attacks as “an art of war organised by the Islamic State”.
He has declared a state of emergency across France and ordered the closure of national borders.
US President Barack Obama has also condemned the attack which he said was an outrageous attempt to terrorise innocent civilians.
“This is an attack not just on Paris or the people of France, but this is an attack on all of humanity and the universal values that we share.
“We stand prepared and ready to provide whatever assistance the government and the people of France need to respond.
“We will do whatever it takes to work with the French people and with nations around the world to bring these terrorists to justice and go after any terrorists’ networks that go after out people,” President Obama said.
The British Prime Minister, David Cameron, also condemned the attacks, saying that the British government will stand with the French people in the face of evil.
Other world leaders, including the Prime Minister of Australia, Malcolm Turnbull, have also sent condolence messages to France, expressing their support.