FG uncovers Boko Haram’s new bombing tactics

From Umar Dankano, Yola & Joy Baba Yesufu

The Federal Government yesterday alerted Nigerians to new bombing tactics being devised by Boko Haram.

The Federal Government announced that it has uncovered plans by insurgents to use cobblers, otherwise called shoe shiners, and livestock to bomb public places.

Mr Mike Omeri, the Coordinator of the National Information Centre disclosed this Thursday at a news conference in Abuja to give an update on security situation in the country.

According to Omeri, “The insurgents plan to hide explosives in the tool boxes of the cobblers and detonate them at markets, political rallies, ATM points, restaurant and places of worship.

He said that there is also indication of a plan to use livestock such as goats, cows, donkey and camels laden with explosives to attack chosen targets.

“In view of this, the general public, including persons operating within and around the aforementioned places, are advised to be vigilant”, Omeri said.

He also urged Nigerians to be mindful of suspicious activities in their environment.

The coordinator confirmed the release of some persons abducted by the insurgents in Yobe, saying that they were currently being counseled by the military.

He said that they would be released to their families after the counseling.

Meanwhile, President Goodluck Jonathan has announced the liberation of Michika local Government Area in Adamawa State from the enclave of Boko Haram insurgents yesterday, Thursday.

Goodluck gave the breaking news at his presidential campaign rally held at the famous Muhammadu Ribadu square Yola, the Adamawa State capital promising Nigerians of his government’s commitment to providing security to all.

“I am glad to announce here that the Nigerian troops have just liberated Michika local Government from the occupation of Boko Haram today and Madagali will soon be liberated too”.

He also used the gathering to deny the allegation that, his government is behind the terrorists group (Boko Haram) stressing that, no reasonable leader can ever be behind such ungodly and inhuman act of killing and destroying properties of his people in his own father land just for selfish political reasons.

“There is no reasonable leader in the globe who can convene with terrorists to kill his people for political gains or reasons and those peddling such rumor (allegation) against us (presidency), I pray that may God Almighty forgive them.’ He stated

Peoples Daily

Kuku: Only Northern Leaders Can Stop Boko Haram

•   Says international terrorists now Boko Haram’s financiers

Ndubuisi Francis in  Abuja

Special Adviser to the President on Niger Delta, Hon. Kingsley Kuku, has stated that military option alone could not resolve the problem of insurgency perpetrated by the violent Islamist sect, Boko Haram; arguing that only conciliatory moves by leaders from the North-east could end the reign of terror.
Kuku said insurgency had festered because northern political, religious, traditional, and  opinion leaders, particularly those from the North-east geo-political zone failed to embark on the kind of moves by their compatriots in the Niger Delta region, which brought militancy in the oil-rich area to an end in 2009.

The presidential aide, who spoke in Abuja  at a public policy discourse on resolving the Boko Haram challenge via the adoption of lessons learnt from the resolution of the Niger Delta crisis, said the Niger Delta crisis was resolved through the sincere, committed and fearless participation of leaders  from that region.

Kuku regretted that so far, leaders from the northern part of the country, particularly, the North-east were yet to galvanise themselves and take up the gauntlet that would culminate in bringing the dreaded Boko Haram sect to embrace peace.

Arguing that military option alone may not end the orgy of violence unleashed by the sect, Kuku challenged respected, committed and trusted leaders from the North-east and other parts of the north to rise up, reach out to the insurgents with a view to ending the blood-bath and massive destruction being visited on people and property.

He recalled the roles played by President Goodluck (then vice president) and other notable leaders from the Niger Delta, who risked their lives to reach out to ex-militant leaders, which eventually resulted in the federal government’s Amnesty Programme and the concomitant peace being enjoyed in that region presently.
Kuku, who is also the Chairman of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP) lamented  that  insurgency could engulf  and  destroy the whole country if not checked  urgently.

He stated that the sect was affiliated to ISIS, which was already sponsoring the insurgents, noting that this had led to Nigerians losing the command structure of Boko Haram.

According to him, this international link had culminated in the infiltration of Nigeria by insurgents from the Islamic Maghreb region, adding that this had been  given practical expression by recent arrests of the sect members .

He said all of them who were arrested by the military were of Arab descent, noting that their activities had been massively destructive since they were non-Nigerians.
The presidential aide said the bravery of the Nigerian military had continued to checkmate the rampaging insurgents, who were well-funded and armed from over-running the North-east and the entire country.

The PAP Chairman said the size of the country was a disincentive to the insurgents, noting that for Nigeria’s massive land mass, the insurgents would have wreaked havoc in more communities.

While urging leaders from the northern part of the country to collectively lead a peace initiative to stop insurgency, he also called for support from all Nigerians to overcome the crisis.

THISDAY

U.S. blocks Israeli arms deal with Nigeria

Citing human rights abuses and widespread corruption in nixing helicopter sale, the United States has reportedly vetoed a 2014 arms sale of US-made Cobra helicopters by Israel to Nigeria.

Though the resale of decommissioned gunships was approved by Israel’s Defence Ministry, Washington stopped the deal over concerns that the Nigerian government was not doing enough to avoid civilian casualties in its ongoing fight with Boko Haram, Israeli newspaper Haaretz reported yesterday.

The canceled sale has further strained Washington’s already tense ties with Nigeria over the government’s response to the five-year-long insurgency by the Islamist group.

Beyond its concern over human rights abuses, the Obama administration has significantly limited its security assistance to Nigeria in recent months, due to widespread government corruption and a possible Boko Haram infiltration into the Nigerian military, The New York Times reported in December.

Though Asia remains Israel’s biggest arms customer, military exports to African nations virtually doubled in 2013.  A total of $224 million worth of arms and military technology was sold to African countries, compared to $107 million in 2012.

According to defence sources, a second African country could be a potential buyer for the helicopters, though the Defence Ministry declined to comment on the report.

During a visit to Nigeria on Sunday, US Secretary of State John Kerry said Washington was prepared to increase its support for the fight against Boko Haram, provided next month’s elections take place peacefully and democratically

53 Insurgents Killed as Jonathan Promises More Equipment for Troops This Week

President Goodluck Jonathan 

•   Michika under renewed attack  S’Africa to send forces to fight Boko Haram

Jaiyeola Andrews, Senator Iroegbu in Abuja and Daji Sani in Yola with agency report

Determined to win the war against Islamist terror group, Boko Haram, President Goodluck Jonathan on Monday said the Nigerian Armed Forces would take delivery of more military hardware this week.

This is just as the continuing coordinated ground and air mop-up operations by the military in Maiduguri and Kodunga in Borno State led to the killing of more Boko Haram terrorists.

The sect had launched multiple attacks on the Borno State capital, Maiduguri and Mongonu on Sunday, but were repelled by Nigerian troops in Maiduguri and neigbouring Kodunga.

However, Mongonu and a military installation in the border town were captured by the Islamists after fierce fighting with the troops.

On the arrival of the new military hardware, the president made the disclosure during a courtesy visit to the Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Ibrahim Gambari, at his palace in the Kwara State capital.

Jonathan was in Ilorin for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential campaign rally.

He expressed confidence that with the delivery of the equipment in two weeks, the military would move faster towards halting insurgency.

“You have observed us for the past four years. Yes, we have security challenges relating to the Boko Haram saga mainly in the North-east.

“Although their excesses extend to other parts of the North like Abuja, Sokoto, Gombe and Kano, but it is mainly in the North-east. We are working hard and we shall surely bring it to a halt.

“As far as the military is concerned, even as we are talking, we are expecting more platforms this week and next week.

“I believe that in the next two weeks or so, we will be able to move faster than we are moving.

“We have intervened in so many areas; agriculture that touches the life of the ordinary Nigerian is one of the areas that we have been working very hard on.
“We are trying to move agriculture to the next level, to a level that young graduates will be able to embrace,” Jonathan said.

He assured the emir that his administration was poised to move the nation forward by creating more jobs, as well as diversifying the economy.¨Jonathan told the traditional ruler that he was in the palace to personally inform him that he was interested in seeking re-election.

He also introduced the party’s governorship candidate in the state, Senator Simeon Ajibola, to the tradition ruler.

He said under the PDP, people of the state would continue to enjoy freedom and improved quality of life.

Gambari told the president that having watched his performance over the years, he was convinced that he had done very well.

He prayed that God would crown the president’s effort with success. He urged all politicians to conduct their campaigns without violence. He said since he heard of the president’s campaign trip to the state, he had been praying to God to make it hitch-free.

Earlier, the National Chairman of the  PDP, Alhaji Adamu Mu’azu, had told the emir that the delegation was in the palace to seek his support and prayers so that the PDP could continue the good work it had started.

As the president opened up on the additional equipment expected to arrive this week, dozens of insurgents were killed yesterday when the military continued its ground and air mop-up activities in the aftermath of “diversionary terrorist attacks on Maiduguri and Konduga on Sunday”.

A statement by PR Nigeria, a media advisory to government security agencies, said security sources confirmed that at least 53 more terrorists lost their lives, as troops in pursuit of the terrorists engaged those that fled and the additional reinforcements on the outskirts of Konduga and Maiduguri in a battle from Sunday night to early yesterday morning.

According to PR Nigeria, the sources added that health and emergency workers were contending with the challenge of evacuating terribly mangled corpses of the terrorists for mass burial.

Also, a tweet on the twitter handle of the Defence Headquarters disclosed that a substantial number of heavy weapons had been captured in addition to the number of terrorists that died between Sunday and Monday.

It added that Nigerian forces also recorded some casualties but “troops and air force patrols are still ongoing”.

A military source told PR Nigeria that the suicidal attempt on Maiduguri and Konduga might have been staged to divert troops’ attention from their goal of commencing the “once and for all” battle against the terrorists by members of the Multinational Joint Task Force (MJTF) from Cameroun, Niger, Nigeria and Chad planned for early this week.

There are fears that saboteurs among local sympathisers in one of the affected communities might have betrayed the troops, especially on the plan to annihilate the terrorists in order to pave the way for the success and peaceful conduct of the forthcoming elections in every part of the country.

A top intelligence source also told THISDAY that there are ongoing operations on several fronts by the troops, as they fight to reclaim lost territories, including Monguno, which was captured by the terrorists on Sunday.

The source said that even though the towns were yet to be liberated, the terrorists are dying in large numbers with their charred bodies littering the streets and bushes due to the pitched battles.

“There is a fierce battle going on in Monguno, supported by the continuous aerial bombardment of their position. As a result, there are many casualties on their side. Many of them are being killed and the charred bodies of their fighters are all over the place,” the source said.

Meanwhile, the headquarters of Michika Local Government Area in Adamawa State was reportedly attacked by the Boko Haram sect yesterday.

A military source, who confirmed the attack, revealed that the military authorities had drafted more troops to the area so as to repel the insurgents from taking control of the town and its environs.

The source said the Nigeria troops, in collaboration with local hunters, were involved in the fierce battle with the insurgents.

He expressed confidence that the troops would overwhelm the insurgents in the battle for Michika.

Also confirming the attack, the secretary of the local hunters association, Mr. James Philip, revealed that the insurgents had been on the rampage for three days in communities around Michika.

He said people living in the affected communities had fled and taken refuge in the surrounding hills while some were hiding in the bushes.

He said although the insurgents had killed several people in the areas, the troops and local hunters were doing everything possible to repel them completely from the communities.

“The troops also killed several insurgents. These boys don’t stay in Michika; they come from their hideouts to attack whenever they want to, and normally come in their hundreds to attack,” he said.

An eyewitness also disclosed that the insurgents stormed Michika at about 4 pm from Sambisa forest, but on reaching the town they met stiff resistance from the troops detailed to cordon off the area.

The member representing Michika in the Adamawa State House pof Assembly, Adamu Kamale, also confirmed that for three days the insurgents had had a field day, in surrounding areas before targeting Michika.

He urged the federal government to act fast to prevent the insurgents from overrunning Michika and wiping out other surrounding villages.

In September last year, Michika was captured by the insurgents for some weeks. However, troops and local hunters, in a counter-attack, recovered the town.

In a related development, former South African defence force soldiers will reportedly form the core of a multinational team of private military experts, who are en route to Nigeria, to help the country fight against Boko Haram militants.

Netwerk24 reported yesterday that the 100-strong team has been tasked with training the Nigerian military in a massive campaign against the terrorist organisation.

According to the Netwerk24 report, Boko Haram leaders and fighters will be targeted.

The team will attempt to thwart Boko Haram’s bloody raids and also try to free the remaining kidnapped Chibok schoolgirls. More than 200 schoolgirls were kidnapped by Boko Haram last year.

The leader of the team told Netwerk24 that they are not mercenaries, but have a government contract to assist the Nigerian military with training. The team involves South Africans who gained experience during the border wars, as well as Britons, Indians and other nationalities.

The African Union is reportedly considering military intervention as a regional multinational force including Niger, Chad and Cameroun to fight against Boko Haram.

An earlier report revealed that a team of South Africans were involved in training Nigerian soldiers, and the Nigerian government had asked for additional training.

A military expert earlier in January warned that South Africa would be under threat if its soldiers joined AU forces in fighting against Boko Haram.

THISDAY

Military Routs Insurgents in the Battle to Capture Maiduguri

 Governor Kashim Shettima of Borno State

• Curfew imposed on state capital
• Mungono captured
• Six Adamawa villages attacked
Michael Olugbode in Maiduguri, Senator Iroegbu in Abuja and Daji Sani in Yola

Barely hours after President Goodluck Jonathan declared in Maiduguri that the Boko Haram Islamic sect would be crushed, the terrorists have raised the tempo of their attacks in the North-east with multiple attacks on Borno and Adamawa States.

On Sunday, it was battle royale for the soul of Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, as the Nigerian troops, for over 10 hours engaged the insurgents who looked bent on over-running the town.

At the end of the battle, nine soldiers and 56 insurgents had been felled by bullets.

Besides the loss of 56 of their fighters, the insurgents also lost some of the prized equipment which they abandoned following the heavy bombardment from a co-ordinated operation by air raid and the relentless firing of the ground troops.

Although the insurgents were markedly repelled from Maiduguri, Mungono, another major town which shares boundary with Baga, was captured yesterday by the Islamist terrorists.

The attack on Maiduguri, the capital of the esteemed Kanem Bornu empire and modern day Borno State, has been on the plans of the terrorists as they have always wanted to make the city the capital of their proposed Islamic state or caliphate.

It was gathered that hundreds of heavily armed insurgents tried to gain entrance into the town through Jinikin-Moronti, at the outskirts on the road leading to Damaturu along Jos-Kano highway and close to two major housing estates 1,000 and 707.

The terrorist group was confronted by Nigerian soldiers and other security operatives at the 33 Battalion Barracks at the entrance to the town.

The ensuing battle raged from 12:30am till about 3:30am with the soldiers at the barracks assisted by other soldiers at various facilities within the town.

Other security operatives and members of the youth vigilante group joined in the operation as the insurgents were successfully repelled.

Just when everyone thought the insurgents had been beaten, they re-emerged with renewed, determined and stronger firepower which caused the entire people of the town to notice that a major battle was raging. It lasted between 5:40am till about 11am.

Residents were left terrified and could not venture out of their homes, not even for the Sunday worship service.

Narrating their experience, a member of the youth vigilante, Modu Baana, who spoke to journalists, said: “It was around 2am when we were alerted of the deadly move by the terrorists to enter Maiduguri through the Jimtilo outskirts. We learnt that over 100 heavily armed men with armoured tanks and Hilux jeeps were about coming into the town.

“Heavy shelling ricocheted all around the town as the military had to deploy both ground and aerial battle to suppress the determined insurgents, which looked recharged and motivated to take over the town.”

Some members of the youth vigilante that were involved in repelling the attack, revealed that nine soldiers who were killed in the attack were evacuated from the ‘battle front’  by a military patrol Hilux van to the Garrison Command along Pompomari area near the Military Anti Bomb Squad Unit around 12.30 pm.

Some of the Air Force surveillance jets were still hovering over the town until late afternoon yesterday, as some pockets of insurgents who were believed to be in the town were still being trailed and tracked.

Baana added that the fighter jets deployed really helped and that was why the insurgents scattered and some ran away into the neighbourhood as they were overwhelmed.

Many residents of the areas under siege were seen moving into different parts of the troubled town, while many residents of the two housing estates — 707 and 1000 — have begun to move out in droves.

Meanwhile, the military authority has slammed a 24-hour curfew on the town. This is to enable security operatives smoke out any remaining terrorist in the town.

In a text message to journalists, the Army PRO, Colonel Sani Usman of the Division 7 of the Nigerian Army, said a 24-hour curfew was on and advised people of the town to stay indoors.

Confirming this, the Nigeria’s Defence Headquarters (DHQ) said curfew had been imposed. According to the Defence authorities, several attempts by the terrorists to attack and take over the town in the past had been successfully repelled through intelligence gathering and pre-emptive strikes by the troops.
The DHQ gave an update on the on-going operation around Maiduguri and Mongunu through its twitter handle.

“Troops are repelling a simultaneous attack on Monguno and Maiduguri by terrorists.

“Coordinated air and land OPs being conducted now.”

Apparently, the tweet was much before Mungono eventually fell.
Although the Boko Haram insurgents failed to capture Maiduguri, they were able to overrun Monguno, a town that shares border with Baga.

The town was attacked at about the same time with Maiduguri yesterday morning.

According to security sources, the soldiers that fled the town were seen in Maiduguri. Also with the fleeing Nigerian soldiers were some Camerounian soldiers who had assisted to keep the place secured before the attack.

It was also gathered that some of the people that were killed were Customs officers who were deployed to the entrance of Maiduguri.

Also killed were some residents of the town that fled their homes during the attack on Maiduguri into the streets. They were said to have been hit by stray bullets.

It was learnt that some of the insurgents who fled into some neighbourhoods in the town were picked up by the youth vigilante and soldiers.

In a related development, despite the fall of Mungono, Governor Kashim Shettima of Borno State, who hailed the bravery of the soldiers in staving off the attack on Maiduguri, has called on citizens of the state to be calm, reassuring them that security forces are making frantic efforts to safeguard lives and property which, he noted, was evident in the patriotic manner the armed forces repelled the attack by the insurgents on Maiduguri.

The governor however regretted the attack on Monguno, headquarters of Monguno Local Government Area in the northern part of the state, which might have resulted in loss of lives and the exodus of many citizens that are now taking refuge in different parts of the state with some of them sustaining gun injuries in addition to losing their property.

Shettima said the government was screening and taking records of surviving victims from Monguno with a view to accommodating them and offering them immediate palliatives as internally displaced persons.

He called on them to regard what happened as ordained by God, praying that the situation would come to an end, through intensified commitments on the part of all stakeholders and sustained invocation of God for divine intervention.

Also in Adamawa State  the insurgents have raided six villages of Michika local government area, killing several people, kidnapped several youths and women and destroying properties worth millions of naira in the communities.
Reports from the affected areas indicated that six villages: Mbororo, Shahu, Liddle, Garta, Kamale and Ghumci were raided by the insurgents on Saturday night.

An eyewitness confirmed the attacks to THISDAY and revealed that the insurgents struck Saturday night at about 8 pm when the villagers were preparing to go to bed .

He noted that the insurgent stormed  the villages in their usual character as they came in their hundreds on motor cycles and few on vehicles as he said this time the insurgents were mercilessly, slaughtering people from house to house without remorse.

Another eyewitness from Garta village , Vandu kainu , who claimed he narrowly escaped from the attacks  told journalists in Yola that the insurgents pounced on them unceremoniously around 6:00 pm raiding their homes and shops.

According to him, They burnt almost all their houses after looting them, adding that most of the  villagers fled to take refuge on top of mountains while some were killed by the insurgents.

“For now I can’t say the number of casualty as we are still in the bush, but they slaughtered many people like Christmas goats. They also abducted many trapped residents, mostly youths and women,’’ he said.

THISDAY

U.S. Policy to Counter Nigeria’s Boko Haram

By John Campbell

Overview

The militant Islamist group Boko Haram’s increasingly bold attacks in Nigeria—most notably its April kidnapping of nearly three hundred female students—threaten to fuel further Muslim-Christian violence and destabilize West Africa, making the group a leading concern for U.S. policymakers, writes former U.S. Ambassador to Nigeria John Campbell, CFR senior fellow for Africa policy studies, in a new Council Special Report from the Center for Preventive Action (CPA).

Boko Haram’s proclamation that it has established an Islamic caliphate has stoked global fears over the insurgents’ rapid ascent in Africa’s most populous country ahead of the February 2015 national elections. Campbell, however, warns U.S. policymakers to resist characterizing Boko Haram as simply another foe in the global war on terrorism, since the group’s grievances are primarily local.

“The Boko Haram insurgency,” Campbell explains, “is a direct result of chronic poor governance by Nigeria’s federal and state governments, the political marginalization of northeastern Nigeria, and the region’s accelerating impoverishment.” Rather than fighting the militant group solely through military force, he argues, the U.S. and Nigerian governments must work together to redress the alienation of Nigeria’s Muslims.

“Washington should follow a short-term strategy that presses Abuja to end its gross human rights abuses, conduct credible national elections in 2015, and meet the immediate needs of refugees and persons internally displaced by fighting in the northeast,” Campbell continues. He also recommends that the Obama administration revive plans to open a consulate in the northern city of Kano in order to improve U.S. outreach to that region’s predominantly Muslim population.

Though the United States has “little leverage” over President Goodluck Jonathan’s government, Washington should “pursue a longer-term strategy to address the roots of northern disillusionment, preserve national unity, and restore Nigeria’s trajectory toward democracy and the rule of law.”

Campbell’s long-term recommendations comprise:

supporting Nigerians working for human rights and democracy;

revoking U.S. visas held by Nigerians who promote ethnic and religious violence and commit financial crimes; and

encouraging Abuja to revamp the culture of its military and police.

CFR

Nigeria’s Plea for Support

To the Editor:

Re “In Nigeria, the Terror Continues” (editorial, Jan. 18):

Terrorism is a global threat, and its defeat requires a global effort. And while the Nigerian government appreciates the help we have received from our allies, our efforts to procure arms commensurate with this high-stakes battle (including a shipment of Cobra helicopters from Israel) have been thwarted.

You suggest that we lack the will to fight this war. But all the will in the world won’t suffice without the firepower to back it up.

Yet despite the setbacks, our armed forces are making marked progress against Boko Haram, including repelling a major attack just days ago on the strategic town of Biu. But we cannot win this fight alone, just as Western powers cannot win against the Islamic State and Al Qaeda alone.

We must work together to equip our security forces to defeat these depraved terrorists and bring to an end the suffering caused by this conflict.

In the meantime, the Nigerian government will continue providing comprehensive humanitarian relief to the families displaced by Boko Haram in the northeast and securing safe schools for our children.

We do not need an abrupt leadership change when we are in the middle of a war. What we need, in our time of need, is backing from our friends in the international community for whom Nigeria (and its peacekeeping forces) has provided loyal, ample support over the years and decades.

MIKE OMERI

Chief Coordinating Spokesman

National Information Center

Abuja, Nigeria, Jan. 18, 2015

NYTIMES

Boko Haram Would have Overrun Half of Nigeria if not for Jonathan’

APC can’t defeat PDP In any zone,  says Metuh

PDP: Reduction in pump price not political

Chuks Okocha in Abuja

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has said that given its wide acceptability in all zones of the country,  the All Progressive Congress ( APC) cannot pull victory in any of the zones over the ruling party.

It further said that the violent Islamic sect, Boko Haram would have overrun half of Nigeria if not for the tactics adopted by President Goodluck Jonathan in tackling the insurgency.

The party also dismissed political motif for the reason for Sunday reduction of the petroleum pump price from, N97 to N87 per litre.

National Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party ( PDP) Olisa Metuh, said this Monday at an interactive session with journalists on the success of the Presidential campaign in the south west and and south east.

Metuh said the president’s train to these regions were overwhelmed by the support of shown by the electorates who thronged out to welcome President Jonathan and the party to their respective states.

He noted that as the campaign commences in the Northwest the party will proudly showcase it’s numerous achievements in rail, agriculture, education and others.

He pointed out that the construction of 150 almajiri schools and establishment of nine university in the northern region out of the 14 new university created by the Jonathan administration.

Metuh who said that the PDP will post victory in the forthcoming February election because it has justified the last 15 years within which it increased its performance in the last six years of Jonathan administration.

THISDAY

TERRORISM: UK-BASED NIGERIANS IN SOLIDARITY RALLY FOR NIGERIAN TROOPS

The first rally in support of Nigerian Troops from diaspora held in London today. This is coming admits calls for maintaining territorial integrity and fight against terrorism as Nigeria marked annual Armed Forces Remembrance Day in Abuja on every 15th of January, yesterday.

According to a statement made available to Sayelba

Times the ”London Rally Support For Nigerian Troops are calling on Nigerians and the International community to support our troops and commend their efforts to eradicate terrorism in Nigeria. Terrorism is currently a global problem which needs a global solution.’

The statement added that ”We want to remind the International community that ‘what is good for Syria and Iraq is also good for Nigeria’. Nigeria deserves the same support given by the world leaders to France when they were attacked by terrorist last week.”

”We are calling on every Nigerian to support our troops, report any person or groups of persons that are promoting or sympathetic towards Boko Haram.”

—

WE WILL ROUT BOKO HARAM AND BRING THEM TO JUSTICE – Jonathan

(We will not forget; we will not look the other way. We have done a lot of painstaking planning and work to resolve the current security challenge. We will bring justice to the savage terrorists known as Boko Haram. They will be defeated

–President Goodluck Jonathan) QUOTE

 
In a solemn commitment as President of the Federal Republic and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday pledged that the Islamist terror group, Boko Haram, would not get away with its atrocities, would not win the war to Islamise Nigeria, and would be routed and brought to justice.

He equally reassured Nigerians and the international community of his administration’s commitment to free, fair and credible elections this year, adding that his commitment to free elections on the basis of “one man, one vote” remained unwavering.

Making this known yesterday in his New Year nationwide broadcast, Jonathan also told Nigerians that the 2015 budget was targeted at making the nation a non-oil economy.

According to him, in 2015, his administration would continue to lay the foundation for a vibrant economy that attracts significant Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) and promote policies that would ensure economic stability.

The president paid special tributes to the nation’s armed forces and other security agencies, which have been in the vanguard in the war against terrorism and violent extremism in our country and sub-region.

He equally commended all Nigerians who had remained vigilant and cooperative with the security agencies in the fight against “the common enemy”.

“We are re-equipping and re-positioning our armed forces to enhance their capacity to win the ongoing war against terror and insurgency.
“Regrettably, terrorists have unleashed much pain and agony on our land. They have made widows of our mothers and sisters and orphans of our children. They have shut down businesses, desecrated places of worship and brought untold hardship to both men and women.

“They have violated the culture and peaceful way of life in our country, which took generations to build.
“They have destroyed countless schools and displaced people from their communities, driving them into exile.

“I want to assure you that the terrorists will not get away with their atrocities: they will not win; they will be routed. As president, I feel the pain of all affected communities and families. I hear their cries and share their sorrow and pain.

“We will not forget; we will not look the other way. We have done a lot of painstaking planning and work to resolve the current security challenge. We will bring justice to the savage terrorists known as Boko Haram. They will be defeated,” he promised.

He added that his administration had worked hard in previous elections to prepare all key stakeholders including the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), security agencies and the electorate optimally, to ensure a progressively improved electoral process in the country, and as such this year’s elections will not be an exception.

“We will continue to provide adequate funding to INEC and maintain the commission’s independence and isolate it from any form of interference or meddling in its day-to-day affairs.  This shall continue to guarantee its impartiality and ability to conduct more credible and acceptable elections.

“National security agencies will also be given all the necessary support to enhance their ability to ensure that the elections are peaceful and violence-free. The Nigeria Police has already established an Elections Security Planning and Monitoring Unit.

“I am optimistic that with the cooperation of all law-abiding citizens of the country, our commitment to have a peaceful and violence-free election will be actualised.

“I will like to say this, once again, to my fellow politicians and political leaders. None of our political ambitions is worth the blood of any of our countrymen, women and children.

“The improvement of their lives and living conditions ought to be our primary motive and the driving force of our quest for political power and leadership positions.

“Let us not promote sectionalism, disunity, intolerance, hate, falsehood or the malicious abuse of political opponents. Whatever we feel or seek, we must have a nation and a people before we can dream of political ambitions. Let us put the nation and the people first.

“Let us all conduct our electoral campaigns with the highest possible decorum and civility towards political opponents. Let us give INEC the fullest possible support and cooperation it requires to conduct credible and violence-free elections in 2015.

“After the 2011 general election, some unpatriotic elements embarked on an orgy of violence, resulting in the destruction of lives and property. That will not be allowed to happen this time around. This government will act decisively against anyone who disrupts the public peace, before, during or after the 2015 general election.

“All Nigerians of voting age are free to vote based on their convictions. It is our duty to defend and protect that basic right, and let no one be in doubt, we will.

“Fellow Nigerians, I urge all of you to enter the New Year with renewed zeal and patriotism, to serve our fatherland with love, honesty, faithfulness and hope for a greater tomorrow,” he said.

Jonathan maintained that none of the challenges before the country was insurmountable and called on the public to work together as a people and work with single-minded unity of purpose to overcome them.

“Nigeria is a key country in Africa. We must work together to maintain our strategic position and collaborate with others to move the continent forward. I call for peace in Africa and an end to all conflicts in our continent.

“I urge all Africans to promote democracy in their respective countries to ensure faster development of the continent and faster economic and political integration,” Jonathan said.

Jonathan also said the government would continue to pray and offer hands of fellowship and assistance to our fellow Africans suffering from the Ebola Virus Disease and urged all Nigerians to show compassion and contribute in whatever way they could to help their African brothers and sisters.

He added that the people’s collective prayer and efforts, “we will grow our economy and our people will become wealthier. Government will continue with programmes deliberately designed to create more jobs for our youth, to enable them contribute more to the growth and development of our nation”.

Also, during the New Year service at the Dunamis International Church, Abuja, the president acknowledged that there is corruption in Nigeria, but stressed that it could be successfully curbed with the collective efforts of Nigerians.

According to him, Nigerians lament daily of insecurity in the North-east occasioned by the attacks of Boko Haram, as well as the issue of corruption.

Jonathan stated that his administration had been working hard to curb widespread corruption.
“We are monitoring the airports now, which was never done before. We are coming out with programmes and plans to clean up these ills.

“So it is not just about shouting about corruption, it is not about looking at one person and you arrest the person and show him/her on the television, it is about strengthening institutions and coming up with concrete plans to make sure that anybody who gets involved in corruption, the system must have a way of detecting and punishing them.

“Until you set up such structures on the ground, you cannot talk about elimination corruption, instead you will be celebrating corruption,” he elaborated.

The president thanked the congregation for the warm reception accorded him on the first day of the year and promised to do his best to continue to come up with programmes that will help the ordinary people.

Commenting on the president’s pledge to conduct free and fair elections, the All Progressives Congress (APC) yesterday said it was impressed with the stated commitment of the president to conduct of free, fair and violence-free elections this year.

The party however urged him to ensure that he matches his commitment with action.
In a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the party expressed satisfaction that the president and his party have come out publicly to join the APC in pledging commitment to successful and violence-free polls next month.

“In a statement we issued on December 28th 2014, we assured Nigerians that we will do everything in our power to make the 2015 elections violence-free. Since then, PDP National Chairman Adamu Mu’azu and the president have joined us in making similar pledges.”
According to the opposition party, “This is a welcome development that will gladden the hearts of our citizens who are very apprehensive about the forthcoming elections.”

APC however said the best way to make the elections free, fair and devoid of violence is for the federal government to ensure a level playing field for all the parties by not tampering with the independence of INEC, not using the security agencies to persecute the opposition and not deliberately disenfranchising all those who are qualified to vote.

“If an election is free, fair and transparent and seen to be so by all, it will be easy for all concerned to accept the outcome, and there will be no violence. Violence only occurs when there is a realisation that the process has been skewed against some and in favour of others,’” the party said.

It restated its assurance to Nigerians and the international community that it would do all in its power to make sure that the 2015 general election is violence-free.

The party wished all Nigerians a happy New Year, and urged them to be prepared to use their votes to instal a government that will make their dreams come true and make Nigeria a proud member of the comity of nations.

THISDAY