Acting President, Yemi Osinbajo, on Sunday ordered security operatives to immediately locate and rescue all members of the oil exploration team abducted recently by the Boko Haram sect.

The order was contained in a statement in Abuja by the Senior Special Assistant to the Acting President on Media and Publicity, Laolu Akande.

He quoted Osinbajo as saying that those responsible for the ambush must be brought to justice.

The statement read, “While commending the military for the progress already recorded with the rescue of some of the abducted, Prof. Osinbajo has also ordered the continuation of search and rescue missions to locate and ensure the freedom of all remaining abducted persons as soon as possible, using all available and expedient means in the circumstances.

“He adds that justice would be pursued for the victims and against those who engage in this kind of unacceptable, criminal and terrorist conduct.

“Acting President Osinbajo pays tribute to the resilience, courage and bravery of officers and men of the Nigerian Armed Forces for their gallant endeavours and sacrifices for the peace, security and territorial integrity of our country.

“He eulogises the Nigerian soldiers who have paid the ultimate price in this mission and others linked to the current insurgency and gives a firm assurance that the welfare of the families of the soldiers will be prioritized.

“He also commends the diligence of the management and staff of the NNPC, and the lecturers/consultants from the University of Maiduguri in pursuing Federal Government’s resolve to grow our country’s current crude oil reserve base through potential exploration in the Lake Chad Basin, stressing that the government will by no means be dissuaded.”

He added that the Acting President said the nation will forever remember the officials who put their lives on the line the current and future generations of Nigerians would the resources of the land.

Osinbajo commiserated with the families, relatives and associates of those who lost their lives in the onslaught and wished the injured speedy recovery.

Azeez