Boko Haram has killed over 12,000 Nigerians–Jonathan

President Goodluck Jonathan says the Boko Haram sect has so far killed over 12,000 innocent Nigerians, maimed over 8,000 and displaced many others. Speaking in Paris, France today at the Regional Summit on Security in Nigeria; Jonathan said the country had  since 2009 contended with many attacks and killings. The president said the attacks had […]

President Goodluck Jonathan says the Boko Haram sect has so far killed over 12,000 innocent Nigerians, maimed over 8,000 and displaced many others.

Speaking in Paris, France today at the Regional Summit on Security in Nigeria; Jonathan said the country had 
since 2009 contended with many attacks and killings.

The president said the attacks had now developed into a full-scale war targeting the stability and integrity of Nigeria.

“Boko Haram has launched a vicious guerrilla-style campaign against the government and the people of Nigeria. It has attacked schools, slaughtered students in their dormitories, destroyed villages, communities and government infrastructure and has wreaked havoc on the economic and social life of our people. This unconventional war has so far claimed over 12,000 lives, with more than 8, 000 persons injured or maimed, not to mention the displacement of thousands of innocent Nigerians”, he said.

He said his government had developed intelligence which, according to him, indicates clearly that global terrorist networks are deeply involved in the recent activities of Boko Haram “which has now turned into an integral part of the Al Qaeda network as the West African Branch.

“More tellingly, the group runs an international network of training and incubation centres in such places as Gao and Kidal areas of Mali, the Diffa, Maradi and Maina Soro areas of Niger Republic, Maroua and Garoua areas of Republic of Cameroun, the Zango and Ridina quarters in Ndjamena, Chad, the Ranky-Kotsy area of Sudan, and also some cells in the Central African Republic”.

He told the summit that the government felt compelled to declare a state of emergency in Adamawa, Borno and Yobe States to give the security forces the required scope and authority as well as to enable them operate more efficiently in the affected areas “in order to gain victory.

“They were directed to adhere strictly to clearly spelt out rules of engagement and avoid any excesses that may amount to a violation of human rights. Careful regard for human rights has always been central to our counter-terrorism strategies, resulting in the adoption of rules and procedures to protect the civilian population from excessive collateral damage”.

Jonathan noted that last year, he had ordered the release from detention of women and under-aged persons involved with terrorists and those against whom whomprima facie cases could not be established, adding that proven incidents of human rights violation that might have involved the security forces were always promptly investigated and dealt with in accordance with the laws.

“In addition to military operation, our administration has adopted what we’ve termed a soft approach to combating the insurgency. This includes short, medium and long-term measures to mitigate the impact on the people and the entire country. Our focus along this line has been mainly in form of the introduction of a robust educational programme in the Northern states, to reduce the number of out-of-school children and empower the youths.

“We’ve launched economic recovery programmes to create jobs, while also providing infrastructure, which unfortunately is heavily threatened by the terror attacks. Other measures include the introduction of de-radicalization programmes for convicted terrorists and suspects awaiting trial, and the promotion of opportunities for dialogue and collaboration with critical stakeholders from the region”.

He regretted that Boko Haram had nonetheless continued to attack innocent Nigerians without regard to religion, ethnicity and gender, saying “Christians have been killed; churches have been destroyed, Muslims have also been murdered and mosques destroyed”.

The president described the abduction of the schoolgirls in Chibok, Borno State as another manifestation of the sect’s criminality.

He said the major challenge faced in the search and rescue operation so far had been “the deluge of misinformation about the whereabouts of the girls and the circumstances of their disappearance”.

The president, who said about 20,000 troops had been deployed to the area, aerial surveillance intensified and local intelligence resources strengthened, assured that the government would explore every avenue and “turn every stone” to ensure the return of the girls to their families “and that the terrorists are defeated”.

Jonathan described the abduction as a watershed in the global terrorist war against human civilisation, saying “the escalation by the terrorists should not go unanswered by us. The world is entering a new stage and we must stand firm to protect our civilisation”.

Thanking all countries participating in seeking the rescue of the girls, he specifically commend France, the United States, the United Kingdom and Israel, among other partners, for offered technical assistance to his government in the joint efforts to rescue the girls.

Jonathan also told the summit that it was the success of his administration’s transformation agenda that had prompted the terrorists to intensify the war against Nigeria, “because our success is their failure”.

He noted that terrorist activities had also been felt across Nigerian borders particularly in Chad, Niger and Cameroon, adding that border and cross-border attacks had taken place with Boko Haram terrorists seeking refuge in neighbouring countries.

“So many Nigerians, fleeing from terror attacks, have also become refugees in our neighbouring countries creating additional burden (security and financial) in those countries. It’s the regional and global character of the terrorists’ campaign that makes it imperative that we explore and adopt a regional and global approach to addressing this insurgency and menace. Indeed, in the spirit of collective regional security, it’s important that we accept that an attack on one country is an attack on all of us, and our common humanity. It’s equally important that we accept the principle of hot pursuit of terrorists in the context of joint border patrols and cooperation in order to deny them sanctuaries and make it impossible for them to take refuge in each other’s territory. I note with satisfaction that some mechanisms for joint border patrols including customs and immigration administration have commenced.

“But we need to do more to restore security along our common borders, focussing especially on the actualisation of the mandate of the Multinational Task Force on the Lake Chad Basin. In addition, we’ve intensified the exchange of intelligence and information on cross-border movements of goods and services of illicit origin, especially small arms and light weapons as well as human trafficking. At the multi-lateral level, we’re developing a regional strategy to win the war against terror within the region. We’ve signed bilateral agreements with our neighbouring countries on security and are engaged in Joint Operations with Benin Republic, Chad and Niger. In this regard, we welcome the support and assistance of all our partners from the region, the continent and around the world in providing technical expertise, training programmes and support for border-area management programmes”.

The president urged the international community to designate Al-Qaeda as a terrorist group.

“At the international level, we should take concrete steps to designate the Al Qaeda in West Africa, alias Boko Haram, as a Terrorist Organisation on the basis of the Proscription Order that my government has already imposed on the organisation. We should also accelerate the implementation of other international sanctions, particularly under the auspices of the United Nations, on Boko Haram, Ansaru and their principal leaders”, he said.

The president said his government was already making thorough intelligence efforts to identify terrorists’ sponsors as well as their sources of funding and arms supply, stressing that his administration would not succumb to terrorists and their dangerous tactics.

He said: “I’ve no doubt that with the cooperation of Nigeria’s neighbours, it would be possible to rein in these organisations until this scourge is ultimately eliminated and defeated. We’ll not succumb to terrorists and their dangerous tactics. Terrorists won’t be allowed to define who we’re or instil fear in our people and cause destruction and mayhem. The time has therefore come for all peace-loving peoples of the world to unite against this new threat to global peace and stability.

“I’m confident that the outcome of our deliberations will go a long way in assisting us to address both the immediate challenges and root causes of Boko Haram insurgency in order to restore enduring peace and stability, not just to Nigeria but also to our sub-region. This latest attack is a wake up call for all of us. A line has been drawn in the sand; a test is put to each one of us. Nigeria will rise up to this challenge and will prevail. I call upon each one of you to stand up and be counted with us in this fight”.