Former Head of State, Major-General Muhammadu Buhari
(retd) has said that terrorism in Nigeria is not confined to the North alone
and blamed the Federal Government for the state of insecurity in the country.
(retd) has said that terrorism in Nigeria is not confined to the North alone
and blamed the Federal Government for the state of insecurity in the country.
He spoke on the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)
Hausa Service programme monitored in Kaduna on Monday.
Hausa Service programme monitored in Kaduna on Monday.
According to him,
it is the responsibility of the government to dig into the genesis of the Boko
Haram crisis and know how best to bring the situation to an end.
it is the responsibility of the government to dig into the genesis of the Boko
Haram crisis and know how best to bring the situation to an end.
He said “the world is very much concerned about two
things, the issue of security and economic well-being of a nation. Security is
number one. A nation can only be economically viable if there is security. But
how did all these crises (Boko Haram) start?
How did the crisis begin and assume this dimension?
things, the issue of security and economic well-being of a nation. Security is
number one. A nation can only be economically viable if there is security. But
how did all these crises (Boko Haram) start?
How did the crisis begin and assume this dimension?
“The other ones (Niger Delta militants), who possessed
weapons and had been abducting people and collecting money. Up till now,
everyday they abduct people and collect ransoms. How was the problem reduced?
How did it start and what method was employed to convince them to mellow down?
Now, what we should look at is how did Boko Haram start and what was done to
the group?
weapons and had been abducting people and collecting money. Up till now,
everyday they abduct people and collect ransoms. How was the problem reduced?
How did it start and what method was employed to convince them to mellow down?
Now, what we should look at is how did Boko Haram start and what was done to
the group?
“We know all these. Security is the responsibility of the
government. It is the responsibility of the Federal Government to know how this
thing started and how to go about it,” he said.
government. It is the responsibility of the Federal Government to know how this
thing started and how to go about it,” he said.
On whether he supports amnesty for the Boko Haram sect,
Buhari said government should know their leaders.
Buhari said government should know their leaders.
“How many times did they come out to say these are the
leaders…. even they once said Boko Haram has agreed that I should lead in the
dialogue, but I don’t know them, so how can I do that when I don’t know these
people and their mission?
leaders…. even they once said Boko Haram has agreed that I should lead in the
dialogue, but I don’t know them, so how can I do that when I don’t know these
people and their mission?
“Where are they getting the terrorism skills? Where are
they getting the money? Where do they buy the guns? Do they have sponsors
outside who want disaster in Nigeria, to destroy the economy and break the
nation? Or is it something else?” he added.
they getting the money? Where do they buy the guns? Do they have sponsors
outside who want disaster in Nigeria, to destroy the economy and break the
nation? Or is it something else?” he added.
When asked how he would tackle the problem if he found
himself in the position of leadership, he said there should be a pattern of
administration in communities where any strange person that comes in is known
and whatever anyone indulges in is
known.
himself in the position of leadership, he said there should be a pattern of
administration in communities where any strange person that comes in is known
and whatever anyone indulges in is
known.
“But do they even know what political parties people
belong to, let alone people who come in and make bombs and kill people in the
market places, mosques and churches? It is important to know the leadership and
why this thing started and the way to stop it…it is necessary to know their
leadership….in my opinion, what they are doing has nothing to do with religion,
no religion that we know permits anyone to kill and destroy, especially the
known religions in Nigeria, Islam and Christianity,” he said.
belong to, let alone people who come in and make bombs and kill people in the
market places, mosques and churches? It is important to know the leadership and
why this thing started and the way to stop it…it is necessary to know their
leadership….in my opinion, what they are doing has nothing to do with religion,
no religion that we know permits anyone to kill and destroy, especially the
known religions in Nigeria, Islam and Christianity,” he said.
Source: Tribune
