President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan on Sunday declared that kidnapping in Nigeria has reduced significantly and would shortly be wiped out from the country. At an interactive session with Nigerians resident in Chad Republic, the President described kidnapping as a receding nightmare, in response to a question on how kidnapping had prevented some Ibos from visiting home in Nigeria, assuring that government has put in place elaborate measures to counter the menace and restore the  peace.

President Jonathan,according to a statement from the office of his Special Adviser, media and publicity, assured Nigerians in Chad Republic that their complaints of constant harassment of Nigerian fishermen and others on legitimate businesses by Chadian security agencies would be addressed with the host authorities. On the absence of good English-speaking schools in Chad Republic, the President underscored the importance of quality education for the future development of any child, while suggesting the establishment of private schools in partnership with government like other country-specific run educational institutions elsewhere as private ventures but under controlled fees.

President Jonathan also promised to look into the issue of building a permanent office and residence for the Nigerian Ambassador, to secure the country’s pride of place in Chad.  He thanked all the speakers at the event who wished him success at next year’s polls, stressing that himself and the Vice President Namadi Sambo “are totally committed and will do our best.”

Those who spoke during the meeting included representatives of various Nigerian ethnic groups resident in Chad Republic as well as the Chairman of the Nigeria-Chad Association, Stephen Osagie.

The Nigerian Ambassador to Chad, Abdullahi Omaki, who disclosed that Nigeria established diplomatic relations with Chad in 1963 and the latter reciprocated in 1965, described the northern neighbouring country as strategic to Nigeria’s security. He also thanked President Jonathan for attending the meeting, while drawing attention to the fact that his residence and chancery were not owned by Nigeria.  Governor Ali Modu Sheriff of Borno State, the Minister of Water Resources, Obadiah Ando and the Minister of State Foreign Affairs, Salamatu Suleiman were among top Nigerian government officials at the interactive gathering.