The Nation Newspaper

Tag: insurgency

  • Insurgency: Forum canvasses better funding of military, police

    Stakeholders in the military and civil establishments have canvassed better funding of the Armed Forces and the Police for optimal performance in internal and external security operations.

    The stakeholders also stressed the need for religious leaders, traditional rulers, legislators and opinion leaders to participate in civil military relation seminars.

    These were contained in a communiqué issued yesterday at the end of a three-day civil military relations in a democracy seminar in Abuja.

    The seminar, with the theme: ‘Strategising the Potentials for Enhanced National Security’, was attended by officers from the Armed Forces (Army, Air Force and Navy), the Police and the National Orientation Agency (NOA).

    The communiqué canvassed the inclusion of civil military relations as a subject in the curriculum of relevant civil institutions in the country.

    “NOA, as a matter of importance, should also start collaborating with the military and other agencies for civil military relations activities,” the communiqué added.

  • State of emergency to slate the insurgency

    State of emergency to slate the insurgency

    So after much deliberation and rigmarole, after much dissent by leading sec tors of Nigerians, after the massacres and nauseating murders of men, women and children, the government has finally declared a state of emergency in three states. The unexpected declaration of the state of emergency to deal with the high rate of violence and spate of deadly attacks by militant groups has taken many by surprise. Yesterday evening, 14th May 2013, President Jonathan delivered an address in which he gave the military powers to take over security in the states of Adamawa, Borno and Yobe. This step, which affects a broad range of civil rights, has already triggered widespread debate about the implications of the government’s latest strategy, from the opposition, to religious groups, civil society and even the governor’s forum.

    The state of emergency requires a presidential proclamation under conditions specified in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 as amended under the provisions of Section 305 (1). It gives the authorities special temporary legal powers to arrest and search citizens without a warrant. It also imposes a curfew on the specified states, restricting residents to their homes between the times of a curfew. Other emergency powers regulations affect ‘habeas corpus’ and citizens’ rights to freedom of movement, assembly, association, speech, and privacy.

    Over the past two years, the rate of violence in several states has increased dramatically, fueled by the rise of militancy, extremism and the widespread availability of illegal weapons. Successive clamp down by authorities, an apparent trigger-happy task force, mismanaged deliverance of information on behalf of the government and a leadership that seems totally confused and not in control have had the utmost regressive effect, almost to the point of providing sympathy and understanding for the plight of the insurgents. In recent weeks, the country has been horrified by the series of violent murders. The situation became a lot worse, with the massacres in Baga and Bama town. Announcing the state of emergency, President Jonathan said, “The country is facing, not just militancy or criminality, but a rebellion and insurgency by terrorist groups which pose a very serious threat to national unity and territorial integrity”.

    While I am often at variance with the utterances and policies of President Jonathan, it is not so difficult for me to understand why the president felt the need to take such an aggressive reaction, especially along his reasoning that no terrorist group, religious or tribal has a right to pose a threat to national unity and territorial integrity. Not Boko Haram or tramps and vagrants like Asari Dokubo or any other ignorant yobs who fancies themselves as the new Scarface and who happen to all be the same kind of bigoted criminals disguised in different garbs. The country cannot go to war because of some criminal elements have been threatening to overrun the Nigerian state under the guise of religious extremism, resource control, militancy or insurgency.

    If reports that over a dozen local government areas in Borno State have been taken over by insurgents are true, if reports that in those local governments there is no semblance of authority are factual, then a state of emergency in those hotspots was absolutely and unquestionably necessary. Why should a whole nation be held to ransom by plundering and rancorous groups of brutes bent on creating havoc on a society, no matter how candid their grievance or cause? Why should a group of people organize themselves in guerrilla warfare and carry out the kind of offensive that is claiming the lives of innocent men, women and children? For goodness sake, when did our society sink to the depths of darkness we are in now; where we are forced to discuss the destruction of people’s lives and death of fellow human beings in such a blasé manner? That is what we have been reduced to. Every single morning, the minute one listens to the news or reads a paper, the first thing one is confronted with is stories of death, destruction and murder. I mean it is just so absolutely unbelievable for us to wake up every morning with news of the kind of senseless violence we have been witnessing. It is simply unacceptable. As a civilized society which has evolved from the dark ages, our current situation has got to be intolerable by every standard, even for those criminal Nigerians who are hell-bent on declaring a ridiculously, unnecessary and unfair war against innocent Nigerians.

    It may be easy enough for those of us who are not directly affected by the violence to sit and judge this draconian declaration by the government, but even those of us that have not been directly affected by the violence and unwarranted massacres in the affected states have been shaken to the core by it and shudder at its domino effect. The situation of the murders and total disregard for human life has reached epic proportions; proportions which call for the authorities to respond in the most decisive manner possible.

    There is no doubt that this measure which the government has taken will have an impact on the daily lives of innocent, law-abiding citizens in these areas and provide inconveniences for them. It will limit people’s movements and give the regiment powers to arrest; it will even infringe on the fundamental rights and freedoms of the citizens, but, unless someone in authority takes the bull by the horn and affects this kind of stringent system, the situation in those areas will not be brought under control and it will come to a point when the violence cannot be contained. Those affected by the state of emergency should look at the bigger picture and recognize the need to protect them and bring the current violence surge affecting them under control. Many people have lost their loved ones to unnecessary violence in the past three years and unless something is done to restore normalcy in those areas, it will likely get worse.

    Of course, there are other manners of dialogue and solutions that need to be adopted in order to bring this impasse totally under control; solutions that focus on long-term results to the problem and the fundamental issues that gave birth to the crisis itself has to be tackled. A state of emergency has a time-limit and therefore has a short-term effect and short term gain.

    Therefore, in addition to placing the state of emergency, the government must immediately sit down and identify what is driving this upsurge of violence in these respective areas and address the best way to bring an end to it, otherwise when the emergency is eventually lifted, it will be ‘violence’ business as usual.

    To show sincerity in its wish to end the violence, the government should immediately make an undertaking to release the innocent women and children that have been detained without cause in the quest to clampdown on the guerrillas. Government should further undertake to rebuild and relinquish the Mosques and properties that belonged to the Jam’a Ahl al-sunnah li-da’wa wa al-jihd movement before the Borno state government under the leadership of Ali Modu Sheriff launched its offensive against them, before the murder of their leader Imam Mohammed Yusuf. And most importantly, the on-going trial of the security operatives who murdered Imam Mohammed Yusuf and Alhaji Buji Foi should be intensified, together with the arrest and prosecution of the government officials who allegedly ordered their execution. Those actions would show the sincerity and commitment of government to tackle the root of this problem and bring it to an end.

    Now that the presidency has expressed determination to root out the insurgents in the affected areas, the good people of those states should endeavor to cooperate with the authorities in order to bring an end to the horror that surrounds them every day. To restore law and order to the states, people should be able to give accurate and dependable information as well as advice to all seekers of peace. It is expected that if the society as a whole resolves to end the crisis today, there will be no more killing or kidnapping of our people tomorrow. If the communities do not provide a safe haven for those who are out to disrupt peace, there will be no place for any criminals to hide. Our brothers that have turned renegades should also be persuaded to embrace peace and end the killings of innocent people.

    The security officials deployed in the three states ought to understand that democracy is still in place in Nigeria as a whole and even though a state of emergency has been declared in those states, we are still a democracy and overzealousness of any kind should by no means be exercised or tolerated. The authorities themselves cannot use lawlessness to fight lawlessness because violence begets and encourages more violence.

    One prays that we will soon see an end to the violence and hopes that the government, in enacting this state of emergency can tackle the mayhem in the troubled areas in the most responsible manner and be committed to placing every resource at their disposal towards winning this war in a way that is in the best interest of the collective.

    The current rate of violence dictated for more to be done and stronger action to be employed. The situation, especially in Borno State, could not have been expected to continue the way it was going without a response commensurate with the wanton acts of violence and lawlessness; it is a response that is necessary to halt the current spike in the hostile activity of insurgents in the shortest possible time. Desperate acts require desperate measures.

    So, even though the method is not ideal under our democracy, I can appreciate the current declaration of government to be more than a panic response. I do not see it through the lens of opposition, creed or tribe; I see it simply as a “state of emergency to slate the insurgency.”

  • ‘Amnesty ‘ll end insurgency’

    ‘Amnesty ‘ll end insurgency’

    House of Representatives member Hon. Abiodun Awoleye (Ibadan North Constituency) spoke with MUSA ODOSHIMOKHE on the security situation in the country and other issues.

     

    What is your view on the proposed amnesty by the Federal Government to the members of the Boko Haram?

    Amnesty programme was used to bring peace to the Niger Delta when the militants were terrorising the Southsouth. But Boko Haram is a new dimension. The people are aware that it is politically motivated. Therefore, I’ll like the federal government to grant them amnesty so that the North and other parts of the country can have peace and sleep with their two eyes closed because it has been spreading to the other parts of the country. So, amnesty will make them to come out physically for negotiation.

    You said the amnesty was given to the Niger Delta militants. But the militants are back on the street. Do you think amnesty is the solution?

    To a very large extent, the amnesty programme really works, most especially under the regime of the former Late President Umaru Yar ‘ Adua that actually initiated the programme, until this visionless present government came on board. To me, this administration does not have direction and that is what is really affecting the programme today.

    What is you assessment of the Jonathan Administration?

    Jonathan Administration is a total failure. All the promises made two years ago have not been fulfilled. Nigerians are not enjoying the dividends of democracy. Nothing works in Nigeria. Jonathan promised constant power supply, but what we have is worse than that. He promised good health care system, but is yet to fulfill it. He promised reforms in the education system, but education is getting bankrupt on the daily basis.

    Does APC has prospect?

    APC has come to stay. It is an intellectual property of the merging parties. I can authoritatively tell you that APC is the way out of the crises Nigerians are facing today. The All Patriotic Citizen is a fake. It will fail.Merger process has its procedure, which we have to follow. It will now be difficult for some sets of people to come out and frustrate the merger when we are still following the due process. We all know that the ruling PDP is behind all the hurdles. They cannot succeed because Nigerians know that the coming together of these three major parties is to salvage and rescue this collapsing nation from the PDP. I want to tell you that, with the kind of programmes we have, we will dislodge the PDO in 2015.

    What are the achievements of Governor Abiola Ajimobi that will make them vote for your party in 2015?

    We have done a lot of good works in the state. Let me start with the urban renewal programme. We have constructed many roads across the state. The beautification programme is also going on in the state. We can see massive construction of bridges and roads and the fly-overs will soon be commissioned. You can see the numbers of schools being renovated and equipped with new furniture so that the students can be comfortable. Extra-moral classes are organised for the students so that we can produce the best brains in Oyo State. We are tackling security through the ‘Operation Burst’. We have employed many youths in the civil service and TESCOM. We have employed 20,000 youths through ‘Yes-O Scheme’.

    What are your achievements as a legislator?

    The people of my constituency are enjoying my dynamic representation. A number of boreholes have been drilled for them. I have donated and installed a numbers of transformers for them. This is the second time I will beinfluencing the budget to favour of constituency and I have included many things in the budget. In my primary duty as a legislator, I have moved a number of motions, including the renovating and upgrading of the Ibadan Airport, which to the best of my knowledge, is going to be done because the fund has been earmarked for it.

  • Insurgency: Is the Fed Govt’s amnesty option the way out?

    The constructive engagement option, recently adopted by the Federal Government to tackle the Boko Haram insurgency, has generated a lot of controversy.

    While some citizens welcome the option, others consider it incongruous to dialogue with a group earlier described as faceless.

    However, some analysts want the Federal Government to go ahead, saying that the dialogue option is not a “surrender or capitulation but a bold step in conflict resolution”.

    President Goodluck Jonathan on April 17 approved the constitution of a Presidential Committee on Dialogue and Peaceful Resolution of Security Challenges in the North, to constructively engage key members of the Boko Haram sect in a dialogue.

    The 26-member committee was inaugurated by Jonathan on Wednesday, April 24.

    The analysts urge the president to go ahead with the programme, even though a faction of the Boko Haram sect said that they had committed no offence to warrant the need for an amnesty.

    Supporting the president’s action, Mr Ol?sa Agbakoba, a former President of the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), said it was in the interest of the citizenry to make the country safe.

    “Some say, why should the government go through all this trouble, in view of Boko Haram’s record. But I disagree.

    “It is in our enlightened interest to make Nigeria stable. You sometimes stoop to gain,” he stated.

    The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) also hailed the decision of the president to set up a committee to dialogue with members of the sect.

    Mr Anthony Sani, the National Publicity Secretary of the ACF, said that the forum’s consistent position had always been that the insurgents be given amnesty to prepare grounds for negotiations with the group.

    He said it was only logical for the Federal Government to explore other options to tackle the Boko Haram issue since the use of force had so far failed.

    “This is what we have been canvassing; we have been saying that since the use of force has failed, why not use other options, the option of amnesty,’’ he said.

    Sani, however, called on the government to put in place a mechanism to guarantee the security of the insurgents, saying that without due assurance about their protection, the insurgents might be afraid to come out.

    “ACF is fully aware of the fact that amnesty may not automatically end terrorism, especially when we know that some hard liners may not accept the offer.

    “But it will most likely mark the beginning of a process that holds the promise of bringing the tragic situation to an end,” he added.

    Niger State Governor Babangida Aliyu, who also supported the amnesty programme, called on the 19 Northern states to support the programme.

    “President Goodluck Jonathan needs to be supported and encouraged by all Nigerians to succeed in the efforts aimed at finding solutions to the insecurity challenges,” he said.

    Aliyu, who said the proposed amnesty was a good step toward resolving the problem of insecurity, however, underscored the need to explore other avenues.

    He noted that there might be some international dimensions to the Boko Haram issue, urging the relevant authorities to look into that aspect.

    However, some stakeholders are not happy about the Federal Government’s decision to dialogue with members of the Boko Haram sect.

    For instance, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) is not particularly happy about the amnesty option of the Federal Government in efforts to end the Boko Haram insurgency.

    Mr Sunny Oibe, the Public Relations Officer of CAN (Northern states and Abuja), condemned the government’s dialogue option.

    “If the government has decided to set up a committee to consider granting amnesty to Boko Haram under the watchful eyes of the National Security Adviser without compensating the families of those who were killed, it then goes to show that something is fundamentally wrong with our society and government.

    “How can President Goodluck Jonathan, who, not long ago said that he could not grant amnesty to ghosts, now decides to set up a committee for amnesty?

    “During the administration of his boss, the late Umar Yar’Adua, he did not go about chasing the Niger Delta militants.

    “Rather, the citizens from the South-South region went and talked to their boys to lay down their arms and engage the government constructively.

    “If the government is not careful, this amnesty for Boko Haram will encourage insurgencies throughout the country,’’ Oibe noted

    Also, Anthony Cardinal Okogie, the former Archbishop of Lagos, advised the government to be cautious in handling the country’s security problems, stressing the need to allow justice to prevail.

    Okogie, who condemned the wanton destruction of lives and property by members of the Boko Haram sect, advised the president not to rush into granting amnesty to the sect’s members without considering the implications of the action.

    “I am not against considering amnesty if the situation warrants it. But as it is, on what basis are we calling for amnesty for Boko Haram?

    “We have to be cautious about the way we go about it. I have continued to ask these questions: Who are the members of this sect who thrive on human blood? Are they truly Nigerians? What exactly do they want?

    “Besides, how do we compensate all those who have lost their loved ones in the over two years of carnage? These are issues we need to address,” he stressed.

    Sharing similar sentiments, Dr Felix Omobude, the National President, Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN), advised Jonathan to apply great caution in handling the amnesty option.

    He said government should be wary of giving the impression that “it is honouring criminals and criminality’’, adding that victims of Boko Haram should also be compensated.

    “The Federal Government should be more concerned with ways of compensating the victims of the Boko Haram insurgency; so as to mitigate their grief and demonstrate that the government also cares about them,” he added.

    Afenifere, the Yoruba socio-political group, has also expressed some reservations on the government’s approach in tackling the insurgency.

    A leader of the group, Chief Reuben Fasoranti, said that the group’s stand was based on the fallout of the amnesty that was earlier granted to the Niger Delta militants.

    “For instance, we agree that granting amnesty in the Niger Delta region per se is in order. However, we find it hard to defend the monumental abuse going on, especially among the elite managers of the scheme.

    “We are disturbed as to whether the scheme will bring a lasting peace, giving episodic restlessness still being experienced there.

    “Yet, we have created a set of emergency billionaires from the amnesty programme, while the conditions in the creeks virtually remain the same.

    “It is with this at the back of our mind that we have been so sceptical over the so-called amnesty for Boko Haram, which is a much more dangerous group than the Niger Delta insurgents who were known and whose demands were clear,” he said.

    Fasoranti insisted that it would amount to a tragedy for the country to embark on another money-sharing spree, all in the name of granting amnesty to another group “with all the blood that has been shed’’.

    Meanwhile, President Jonathan, on whose table the buck stops, has reiterated his determination to stop the excesses of the Boko Haram sect.

    He gave the assurance when he inaugurated the presidential committee mandated to facilitate a constructive engagement with members of the Boko Haram Sect

    “Nigerians are expecting this committee to perform magic and we pray that Allah should give you the wisdom to do so. This is because without peace, we cannot develop no matter how committed we are,’’ he said.

    The president charged members of the committee to establish a link with members of the Boko Haram sect, while developing a framework through which disarmament would take place.

    Jonathan also enjoined the committee to work out ways of granting amnesty to members of the sect, while developing a comprehensive victims’ support programme.

    “And as we try to address the issue of the Boko Haram, we must also comprehensively address the issues directly affecting the people,’’ he added.

    As there is no known alternative to peace; analysts stress the need for every Nigerian to join hands with the government in efforts to restore peace to the troubled parts of the country.

    “Government should also not take any action that will promote criminality and lawlessness,’’ they, however, warn.

     

  • ‘God to end Boko Haram insurgency soon’

    The National/International Coordinator of the Christian Pentecostal Mission (CPM), Rev. Mercy Ezekiel, has said God would soon answer Nigerians’ prayers by ending the Boko Haram insurgency.

    She spoke at the 17th Founder’s Day Thanksgiving and Ordination Service of the Overcomers Pentecostal Prayer Assembly in Abule Egba, Lagos.

    Quoting from 2 Samuel 7: 26-27, Rev. Ezekiel said nothing could happen without the knowledge of God, adding that “the Lord of Host is aware of the Boko Haram insurgency and will soon end it.”

    She said religious leaders have been praying for an end to the killings in the North “and soon our prayers will be answered.”

    The CPM cleric urged Nigerians to remain calm and prayerful because the country would become great again and be the envy and reference point for other countries.

    The General Overseer of the Overcomer Pentecostal Prayer Assembly, who is also the Senior Special Assistant to Governor Babatunde Fashola on Religion (Christian) Dr. Sam Ogedengbe hoped that the Lord of Host would soon hearken to the cries of Nigerians by ending insecurity.

    Personalities at the event included a representative of Governor Fashola, Rev. Tunji Adebiyi; representative of Deputy Governor Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire, Dr. Tunde Opeibi; representative of Senator Oluremi Tinubu, Mrs. Yetunde Arobieke; Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Adeyemi Ikuforiji; Chairman of Ifako–Ijaiye Local Government, Oloruntoba Oke and clerics.

  • Why Jonathan can’t take action on Boko Haram insurgency, by Kuku

    Why Jonathan can’t take action on Boko Haram insurgency, by Kuku

    The Special Adviser to the President on Niger Delta, Kingsley Kuku, yesterday said the seeming reluctance by President Goodluck Jonathan to take drastic action in combating the Boko Haram menace can be traced to his desire to tread on the path of caution.

    Describing Jonathan as a leader with a strong respect for democratic principles, Kuku said what is required is a strategic approach in resolving the security challenges facing the country instead of adopting any method that may lead to the death of innocent lives who have no link with those behind the spate of terror attacks in some parts of the country.

    Kuku, who spoke yesterday when members of the Niger Delta Young Professionals visited the Presidential Amnesty Office in Abuja, also called on Nigerians to support the President in his effort to transform the country and restore peace in the troubled region.

    He said: “Because, over the years, Nigerians are not used to a very calm, meticulous and non-dictatorial leader, many Nigerians do not understand this President. Some of them have called on him to take a drastic action against those fomenting trouble in some parts of the country as it was done by some other leaders before him. But that is not the way to go.

    “Let us remember that this is democracy and we have a President who has high regards for democratic principles. Education is a very wonderful asset and you cannot buy a Doctorate degree. Are we saying that he should move troops to Borno or Yobe states and wipe the whole people there just because some persons in those areas have chosen to foment trouble? No, that is not what this President is all about. He is going about it the right way and we should support him to realise the objective of restoring peace in the land. We are in a democracy and those are principles the President hold dearly and he would not trample on the rights of Nigerians arbitrarily.”

    Kuku, who is also the Chairman of the Presidential Amnesty Office, advised the youth from the region to eschew what he called “a life of gratis”, noting that “there is a need for the Niger Delta people to do the jobs in the region by ourselves instead of selling our birthright to other people.’’

  • How to check insurgency, by GOC

    The General Officer Commanding 2nd Division of the Nigerian Army, Major General Muhammad Abubakar, has said without an adequate product adaptation and development in the manufacturing sector to sufficiently reduce the alarming unemployment rate and poverty, particularly among the youths in the country, peace may continue to elude the country.

    Abubakar stated this as a guest lecturer at the 7th Annual Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH) Alumni lecture and commissioning of its building held in Ogbomoso, Oyo State.

    In his lecture titled, “Technological Advancement: A panacea Towards Attaining Peace And Nigeria Security Strategy”, the GOC identified inadequate energy, weak educational system, inadequate synergy in research and development, inadequate ICT infrastructure, lack of incentives to industries and small and medium scale enterprises.

    While pointing out that energy is a critical factor in the development of any country, he lamented that the current electricity generation in the country which keeps oscillating between 2,800 to 4,000 megawatts as against a demand of 10,000 megawatts, has caused existing industries to reduce or stop production totally.

    On security, Abubakar noted that “although security agencies are gradually gaining upper hands, there is likelihood of the Boko Haram group to going underground to resurface later if the root cause of the problem is not addressed”, adding that the wide range of security challenges calls to question the place of technology in enhancing national security.

    Earlier, the acting Vice-Chancellor of LAUTECH, Professor Sulaiman Gbadegesin who commended the selfless efforts of the Alumni to their alma-mater, urged other alumni associations to emulate the exemplary conduct of LAUTECH Alumni for meaningful development.

     

     

  • Jonathan working to tackle insurgency, says minister

    Jonathan working to tackle insurgency, says minister

    The Minister of Interior, Abba Moro, yesterday said President Goodluck Jonathan has changed tactics to get to the root of the Boko Haram menace.

    Moro said Boko Haram should embrace dialogue for peace to reign in the country.

    He spoke when the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Women’s Wing in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) visited him.

    The minister assured Nigerians that Jonathan is exploring all measures to make sure that the Boko Haram sect is contained.

    The ministry, Moro said, is making sure that it supports the President in ensuring that the present administration do not bow to the pressure of Boko Haram.

    He advised Nigerians to join hands with the administration to tackle the menace.

    Moro said, however, the country need prayers to overcome the problem.

    His words: “We have experienced yet another of those ugly sides of some misguided Nigerians in the attack of a church in Kaduna .

    “These are people who have misinterpreted and misrepresented their faith in God.

    “They believe that by killing themselves and killing other people they are fulfilling God’s will.

    “This is outright distortion of faith in God. Because all forms of worship whether it is Christianity or Islam preaches peace and love for one another.

    “The challenge before us today in Christendom is for us to continue to be the true Christians that we are by turning the other cheek.

    “This is a sign of humility and that of responsibility because it would be a national tragedy if people who are attacked also retaliate.

    “I believe that as we continue to appeal to the sensibilities of all Nigerians, as we continue to invite all Nigerians to confront this menace of violence within us we must remain prayerful.

    “I invite all of you great mothers and Christians of Nigeria to join hand with this present administration to get to the root of this present crisis and ensure that we play our roles in controlling the consequences of these conflicts.”