- Danjuma: War against terror taking too long
- Insurgents appear to have upper hand, says Danjuma
President Goodluck Jonathan Wednesday maintained that his administration owes Nigerians victory over Boko Haram and its insurgency in the country.
He spoke during the inauguration of the 26-man Victims Support Fund Committee, headed by Gen. T.Y.Danjuma, before the commencement of the Federal Executive Council meeting in Abuja.
Stressing that evil will never prevail over good, he said that no effort will be spared by his government to bring the individuals responsible for the crimes against humanity to justice.
But he called for the support of all Nigerians for the security agencies in the war against terror.
He said: “We owe Nigerians nothing but victory over terror. The life of every Nigerian is precious and we will continue to work round the clock to put an end to this insurgency.”
“I call on all Nigerians to stand together in support of our security agencies against terrorism. They are working night and day under difficult circumstances. It is unfortunate that when our security personnel prevent 1000 attacks, it is the one attack that succeeds that makes headline news and tends to portray our security agencies as not doing enough. It is part of the realities we have to deal with.”
“The menace of terrorism has emerged as one of the most complex and challenging problems confronting governments in different parts of the world. Terrorists aim to cause social dislocation, spread fear and panic among the populace and disrupt government activities. But they never win. They have not won in the Middle East, in the USA, in China, in Columbia, in Italy, in the United Kingdom, in Kenya, etc. And they will not win in Nigeria. And, with the support of all Nigerians, we would ensure they do not win in Nigeria. Good must prevail over evil.”
“That is why we have put together eminent Nigerians led by the respected statesman and hero, General Yakubu Danjuma, who will be assisted by Fola Adeola, a tested technocrat. They will be supported by public-spirited international agencies and other distinguished Nigerians whose names have been earlier announced. We will ensure that those who have suffered unjustly in the hands of terrorists can in our little way be consoled.”
He went on: “Let me say a few words about these distinguished Nigerians that have accepted to serve our nation in this committee. From their profile, they are men and women of outstanding pedigree. That they agree to serve, is a great sacrifice. These distinguished patriots are volunteering their time and energy to give a helping hand to the needy. Valuable time that they should have spent in growing their businesses, loving their families and taking time in leisure. They have accepted to dedicate time and energy to our great country Nigeria. We are most grateful.”
“The determination of government to help bind the wounds and apply soothing balm to the pain on innocent victims remains un-wavered. We want to give them the milk of human kindness, to let them know that this world is not just about evil people.”
“Mr Chairman, distinguished ladies and gentlemen, the human heart is eternally caring and generous. The world we live in is hungry to do good. I want to charge the committee to go out there and knock on the doors of all hearts and institutions in a determined and focussed way. I am confident you will raise the required resources to help rebuild some of our broken existence.”
“There are good people who do not share the dangerous doctrine they are propagating. Those who have made it their priority to kill and maim think they can break our spirit. We will rise from this triumphantly and we shall shame evil.”
“We have set up this committee to provide a framework through which all persons and institutions who wish to help mitigate the pains our country men and women are going through for no fault of theirs.” He said
On victims of the attacks, he said: “Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, for those who have been victims, they need comfort. They need succour. We cannot replace the life of a child that has been snuffed out. We cannot replace the lives of men and women who have been killed. We cannot return broken limbs to their original state. We cannot take away the trauma that people have been put through.”
“Their memories are scarred, some for the rest of their lives, over what they knew nothing about. The best we can do in this circumstance is to offer them a shoulder to lean on and to stretch out our hands of fellowship to them and tell them we feel their pains and share in their sorrow.”
“The Victim Support Fund Committee is part of our on-going efforts to provide a comprehensive solution to the menace. This Government is determined to resolve this crisis. “
“Our gathering here today is to kick-start the process of providing succour to our people who have been directly affected one way or the other by acts of terrorism in the country. This is not the kind of events we would normally pray for.”
Recalling happenings in the past, he said: “It is very necessary for us to refresh our memory before we proceed. Nigeria has not always been like this. In the past, it is true, we had communal and sectarian clashes. There is no human society that has been insulated from conflicts. But as a people created by God, we have managed to live within the realities of our challenges and have worked hard to strengthen the bond of our togetherness.”
“Even when we quarrel, we very quickly made up and largely lived peacefully together. At no time did we employ terrorism to settle our differences.”
“But our innocence was defiled on December 25, 2009, when a 23-year-old Nigerian attempted to detonate explosives hidden in his underwear on Northwest Airlines Flight 253, on his way from Amsterdam to Detroit, Michigan, United States.”
“Although his plan failed and the lives of 289 passengers were saved, it was one incident that finally confirmed that a few Nigerians had finally embraced terrorism as a way of life. Now we could no longer deny that terror has arrived our country with its ugly claws deployed!”
“The year 2009 appears to be a tragic turning point. Boko Haram, an assemblage of heartless individuals, took it upon itself to bring evil upon our country. They have in their mission, turned women to widows and reduced children to orphans.”
“They have killed and maimed and struck fear into law-abiding citizens. They have destroyed villages, attacked property and terminated people’s livelihoods without a care in the world. They have engaged our security agencies in a meaningless warfare that has wasted unimaginable human and material resources.”
“The reality today is that, we are confronted with individuals whose minds have been so twisted and tutored to believe they are doing God a service.”
“For those who take pleasure in seeing innocent human beings in pains, to see limbs being shattered and blood flowing in all direction after terror attacks, we say, you shall have no hiding place. Nigerians will expose you. The people of conscience around the world have rejected you.”
He expressed appreciation for the support Nigeria is getting from foreign countries and the co-operation from neighbours countries against terror.
“This has given us more fillip and we are confident that the days of Boko Haram are numbered. It is now just a matter of time. Our war against terrorism is gathering momentum. When you read about bombing incidents in the mass media, they may come across to those not directly affected as mere statistics. As the old proverb says, when you carry another man’s coffin, it looks like an ordinary log of wood.”
“But to us, fathers and mothers, and the families of the victims, they are not just numbers. They are human beings – sons and daughters, uncles, nieces, nephews, brothers, sisters and indeed, fathers and mothers! They are Nigerians!! They are individuals with dreams and aspirations, noble Nigerians who love their country.”
According to him, the Victims Support Fund Committee will help to mobilise collective efforts and resources in support for the victims.
To this end, he appealed to all well-meaning Nigerians and non-Nigerians, individuals and cooperate bodies, to give generously to the Fund.
“The victims need our sympathy and empathy. We have to show that we care and can never give way or give in to agents of evil. We will continue to do whatever we can to support our people in need. But the task is enormous. It is not a responsibility government can shoulder alone.”
“Nigeria is a community of neighbours, kinsmen and friends. We have always looked out for each other. The entire Nigeria nation is one family. I, therefore, call on all Nigerians – students, youths, boys, girls, men and women – to pause today and spare a thought for the victims; and support them. This is not a task for the rich alone. Every widow’s mite will count, and will be appreciated. I urge Nigerians to donate generously even through your GSM phones.”
He listed the committee’s terms of reference to include: “To identify sources and ways of raising sustainable funding to support victims of terror activities; To develop appropriate strategies for the fund raising; To ascertain the persons, communities, facilities and economic assets affected by terror activities;”
Others, according to him, include “To assess and determine the appropriate support required in each case; To manage, disburse and/or administer support to the victims as appropriate; To address related challenges as may be appropriate; and To advise Government on other matter(s) necessary or incidental to support victims of terror activities.”
He said the fund is an opportunity for Nigerians to prove to the world that evil cannot prevail over good and that “we are our brothers and sisters keeper. We are born to love not to hate; we are born to build and not to bomb; we are born to heal and not to kill; we are born to salvage and not to savage.”
Noting that the insurgents appeared to be having upper hand, the Chairman of the Committee, T.Y. Danjuma said that the war against terror in Nigeria is taking too long to win.
According to him, it is a war that must be urgently won by the Federal Government.
He said: “One thing we will not do is to go to Sambisa forest. The commander in chief will lead and we will follow the commander in chief.”
“But seriously this war must be brought to an end. We must win this war immediately. It is taking too long. I called it civil war when it began people say it is insurgency. The insurgents appear to be having an upper hand at this very moment. They pick and choose where to strike. They are even holding positions and displacing us. We must win this war Mr. President, we must do so immediately.”
“We will raise the funds, we will disbursed it, I promise you we will do so diligently and transparent but we must win this war Mr. President. May God bless our country.” He added
Giving the vote of thanks, the Nationasl Security Adviser (NSA), Sambo Dasuki assured the committee that thge Federal Government will win the war against terror.
He said: “Sir you gave me a very difficult task after Gen. Danjuma’s statement. The only thing I will do is thank them for agreeing to serve and assure them that we will win the war.”
“But there are some very hard choices that would have to be made. We have so been more concern about the lives of a few versus the condition of a few million. The decision has to be made soon. This is not the first time we have been challenged by very senior Nigerians about the need to end this.”
“We had a situation the other day with former heads of states, they told the President the same thing. But the constrains we are aware of we do realise that the time has come to draw a line. As we have said if they are taking the territories then we have lost the first role as far as I am concern.”
“At this point I will like to assue you and assure all Nigerians we will win the war and God willing we will do it quickly. Once again I thank you all for serving.” He said
