"This was a year in which our beloved people were subjected to a campaign of terror by forces that sought to undermine our democracy and destroy the nation," the message noted.

It further stated that criminals who were encouraged by political activists created nightmares for families "as many lost their mothers fathers, husbands, wives, sons and daughters. The conversion of a village into a safe haven for criminals created a new dimension of terror against neighbouring villages and commuters using the public roads."

The WPO also observed that such a campaign resulted in the diversion of much needed resources from the "Government's formidable task of fighting poverty and underdevelopment. It has reduced the rate of the growth of the economy and the delivery of social benefits to communities across the country".