President Goodluck Jonathan has directed
the armed forces to launch a full-scale military operation against
Boko Haram and other violent organisations to put an end to their
impunity in the country.
“I am determined to protect our
democracy, our national unity and our political stability by waging a
total war against terrorism,” he said in his nationwide Democracy Day
broadcast in Abuja on Thursday.
It was not immediately known what such an
offensive could entail given that the North-East where most of the
activities of terrorists take place has been under emergency rule
and a full-scale military operation for a year now.
But a top Defence Headquarters official told The PUNCH
shortly after the broadcast that the Special Forces and other security
operatives involved in the prosecution of the anti-terrorism campaign
would have a near unlimited space to operate.
The phrase “total war”, however, was used
by Chad’s President Idriss Deby following a meeting of Nigeria’s
neighbours in Paris in mid-May, in which they sought a common strategy
to fight the militants.
“I assure you … that these thugs will be
driven away. It will not happen overnight, but we will spare no effort
to achieve this goal,” Jonathan said.
The President explained that the
full-scale operation against the terrorists had become imperative
because they had unleashed war on Nigeria.
But he still did not rule out “dialogue, reconciliation” with the insurgents if they renounced terrorism and embraced peace.
Jonathan said that Nigeria’s unity, stability and the protection of lives and property were non-negotiable.
He restated the determination of his administration to protect the nation’s democracy, national unity and political stability.
The President said the activities of
terror groups in the country had caused debilitating pains and horror
for the nation particularly the abduction of schoolgirls in Chibok,
Borno, on April 14.
“It is now 45 days since the horrifying
abduction of the college girls of Chibok. I share the deep pain and
anxiety of their parents and guardians.
“I assure them once again that government will continue to do everything possible to bring our daughters home.
“I am determined to protect our
democracy, our national unity and our political stability, by waging a
total war against terrorism. The unity and stability of our country, and
the protection of lives and property are non-negotiable. I have
instructed our security forces to launch a full-scale operation to put
an end to the impunity of terrorists on our soil.
“I have also authorised the security forces to use any means necessary under the law to ensure that this is done.
“I assure you that Nigeria will be safe again, and that these thugs will be driven away.
“It will not happen overnight, but we will spare no effort to achieve this goal.”
Jonathan lamented that terrorists
were threatening to rubbish all the gains of the past 15 years of
democratic governance in the country.
He also maintained that foreign
elements were collaborating with some misguided Nigerians to bring down
the country as well as its democracy and freedom.
Jonathan said the abduction of the
schoolgirls showed the heartless nature of terrorists who he said wanted
to instigate a descent into anarchy and balkanise the nation.
He said, “It is a sad fact that as I
address you today(Thursday), all the gains of the past 15 years of
democratic governance in our country are threatened by the presence of
international terrorism on our shores.
“Our dear country, Nigeria is facing a
new challenge. A war has been unleashed on us. Extremist foreign
elements, collaborating with some of our misguided citizens, are focused
on an attempt to bring down our country and the democracy and freedom
we cherish and celebrate today.
“The despicable abduction of schoolgirls
from Chibok in Borno State has brought to the awareness of the entire
world, the heartless nature of these terrorists who want to instigate a
descent into anarchy and balkanise our nation.
“In recent years, terrorist attacks have
claimed the lives of several of our compatriots, many have been injured
or maimed, whole villages and communities have been destroyed and the
economy of some of our states is in jeopardy.
“There can be no doubt that what we are
witnessing in Nigeria today is a manifestation of the same warped and
ferocious world view that brought down the Twin Towers in New York,
killed innocent persons in Boston and led to the murder of defenceless
people in the Southern Russian city of Volgograd.
“Terrorist activities have brought war
and pains to Mali, Somalia, Yemen, Syria, Afghanistan and Pakistan.
These agents of evil continue to brainwash and incite ignorant young men
and women to attack the innocent. We cannot allow this to continue.”
Jonathan said he welcomed the statements
of solidarity from patriotic citizens and the global community in
support of his government’s efforts to stamp out terrorism.
He also applauded the understanding that
in a democracy, people could have differences while sharing worthy
values and standing together in opposition to terrorism.
The President said since Nigeria was the
only country Nigerians had, they must all work to preserve it for
present and future generations.
He commended the nation’s security
agencies and urged Nigerians not to forget their gallantry and successes
in liberating nations like Liberia, Sierra Leone, Congo, Sudan, Mali
and Guinea-Bissau.
Jonathan added, “We must show confidence
in their ability. I have no doubt that, with the support of Nigerians,
our neighbours and the international community, we will reinforce our
defence, free our girls and rid Nigeria of terrorists.
“For our citizens who have joined hands
with al-Qaeda and international terrorists in the misguided belief that
violence can possibly solve their problems, our doors remain open to
them for dialogue and reconciliation, if they renounce terrorism and
embrace peace.
“My government, while pursuing security
measures, will explore all options, including readiness to accept
unconditional renunciation of violence by insurgents, and to ensure
their de-radicalisation, rehabilitation and re-integration into the
broader society.”
The President said Nigerians must work with the security agencies to overcome the terrorists.
While admitting that the war against terror may be difficult, he assured Nigerians that the days of peace would come again.
He said terror was evil and nowhere in history had evil endured forever.
“The menace of Boko Haram will surely
come to an end. I believe that because of your prayers, your courage,
hard work, faith and sacrifice, we will ultimately prevail over the
terrorists and all other evil forces.
“We are a strong, resilient and
courageous people. We will continue to partner the civilised world to
confront international terrorism and every other challenge that comes
our way with patriotic zeal and determination.
“Yes, we have challenges but we will
surely overcome. Nigeria is our country. Nigeria is blessed. We will all
collectively protect, defend and develop this country for ourselves,
and our children,”Jonathan said.
Despite the security challenges Jonathan
said Nigeria had come a long way and made notable progress since its
first Democracy Day on May 29, 1999.
He said although he had ordered a low-key
commemoration of this year’s Democracy Day in deference to the current
mood of the nation, there was no doubt that the past 15 years had been a
blessing to Nigerians.
The PUNCH learnt from a top
official of the DHQ in Abuja that the military was expected to be more
frontal in the fight against the insurgents.
The official, who pleaded not to be
named, said that troops and their commanders would no longer bother
about diplomacy and other factors which inhibited the operations in some
ways.
It was further stated that the statement was expected to be followed with troops and equipment deployment.
Our source said, “The President has
created a division in that area; he has created more brigades and we
now have more battalions on the ground.
“With his statement, the war is expected
to gather momentum; there would be no more diplomacy; it is expected to
be more frontal. I think ‘frontal’ is the word to watch out for now.
“Also, there would be deployment of troops and equipment.”
When contacted, the Director of Defence Information, Maj. Gen. Chris Olukolade, said,
“Watch out for subsequent development, thank you.”
Jonathan declares amnesty for B’Haram members
At another event organised to mark
the Democracy Day for youths, the Minister of Youth Development, Mr.
Boni Haruna, announced that Jonathan had offered amnesty for Boko
Haram members ready to lay down their arms and embrace peace.
Haruna, who gave an overview of youths’
position in the present administration’s transformation agenda at an
event attended by Jonathan and Vice-President Namadi Sambo, said the
offer was part of youths-friendly programmes and policies of the
government.
The event was almost marred by power
failure that happened when the President mounted the podium to present a
compendium of his administration’s achievements in the last one year
and answer questions from youths.
Haruna said, “President Jonathan has also
declared amnesty for members of the Boko Haram sect. A series of
integration programmes have been lined up for members of the sect who
would surrender their arms and embrace peace.”
He therefore called on the sect members to embrace the government’s gesture by keying into the amnesty programme.
The minister recalled that in the wake of
youth restiveness in the Niger Delta, the government came up with a
development programme which provided an opportunity for the youth to
express themselves and have a meaningful life.
Haruna said although the amnesty
programme was a fallout of a bitter national security challenge , its
effect on the youth had been profound.
He disclosed that 30,000 youths that
benefitted from the programme transformed from militants to wealth
creators, employers of labour and skilled citizens.
Jonathan while answering questions from
youths who attended the programme tagged “A day with young leaders of
Nigeria,” said the military alone was incapable of stopping terrorism
or any kind of radicalism alone .
Pointing out that terrorism could not
succeed in any community without local support, Jonathan stressed the
need for people respected by insurgents to join hands with the
government to persuade them to desist from violence.
He said, “Terror succeeds with local
support. It will be difficult for terror to thrive where people reject
it. It is a major challenge to all of us.
“Military alone cannot stop terror or any
radicalism. Terrorists have people they respect, they have community,
traditional and opinion leaders they respect. All of us can deradicalise
them.
“We will through persuasive activities encourage people to shun violence.”
He said the Federal Government was
already working out the modalities for reintroducing moral education
into the school curriculum.
This, he said, would assist in re-orientating young people.
Jonathan promised that his administration
would continue to encourage young people because they are no longer
leaders of tomorrow but of today.
He said youths were already leading
because they decide who rules at all levels of government by virtue of
their population which he put at 60 per cent of the electorate.
The President also reiterated his position that the nation’s income distribution was skewed.
While saying that government was working
hard to redistribute wealth, he added that one of the priorities of his
government was to encourage self-employment.
Responding to a question on the need to
have a youth as the Minister of Youth Development, Jonathan said, “the
best person to take care of a child may not necessarily be a child.”
He added that the young ones needed to
tap from the experiences of older ones. He also stressed the need for
political parties to give women more opportunities.
The event which was held at the International Conference Centre, Abuja, was nearly marred by interruption in power supply.
The incident occurred at the time
Jonathan mounted the podium. He remained standing in front of the
participants with his security aides for about 15 minutes while the
power failure lasted.
He was on the verge of returning to his seat to give the organisers time to rectify the fault when power was finally restored.
The President of the Senate, David Mark,
and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal, were
among the dignitaries who did not attend the event.
The tone for the event was set by the
Minister of State, Foreign Affairs, Dr. Nurudeen Mohammed, who narrated
the circumstances leading to his appointment as a minister at a young
age of 33.
The event featured the presentation of
the third anniversary of the present administration’s transformation
agenda in book form by the President, a video documentary of the third
anniversary of the transformation agenda and the launching of Youth
Entrepreneurial Mentorship and Empowerment Scheme, among others.
Highlights of the event included a motivational talk by the Chief Executive Officer, Mara Foundation, Mr. Ashish Takker.
Takker is said to be the youngest African billionaire.