Security-Nigeria - Senate President David Mark has declared that the federal government must declare war against all terror groups in the country especially the Boko Haram sect. Mark was speaking when he, together with former President Olusegun Obasanjo, visited St. Theresa's Catholic Church, Madalla, yesterday. He said the current security challenge confronting the nation has reinforced the need to aggressively implement the war on terrorism without fear or favour.

He said "Government will never allow evil to thrive over good. They must be fished out and punished according to the laws of the land. Nigerians must be allowed to carry out their legitimate businesses without fear of intimidation or harassment. There must be justices and the law must take its full course. Nigerians cannot be intimidated or impeded from freely going about their legitimate businesses."

Addressing the bereaved congregation at the church, where he worshipped to mark the New Year yesterday, Mark said "it is incumbent on Christians to forgive according to the Holy books but government is duty bound to fish out the perpetrators of the heinous crime according to the laws of the land.

"The National Assembly will cooperate and play its part to unearth the perpetrators and masterminds of this crime against humanity."

He cautioned against vengeance but forgiveness because the central theme of Christian faith is forgiveness.

Obasanjo, who joined Mark along with the priests to inspect the wreckage within the church premises, later led the prayer session for the victims of the blast. He urged the bereaved to remain stead fast in prayer for the nation and her citizens.

Earlier, the Parish Priest Reverend father Isaac Achi said 42 out of the 123 victims of the blast have been confirmed dead.

Abdul-Rahman Abubakar

Daily Trust/02/01/2012