Jonathan tells Boko Haram Committee: perform magic
The Presidential Boko Haram Committee Inaugurated
He told the members: “All Nigerians are expecting this committee to perform magic and we pray that Allah should give you the wisdom to do so, because without peace we can’t develop, no matter how committed we are. Without peace we cannot progress as a nation.”
Also inaugurated at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, besides the Committee on Dialogue and Peaceful Resolution of Security Challenges in the North, was the Committee on Small Arms and Light Weapons.
In a tacit reference to the massacre of about 185 civilians in Baga, Borno State, last Friday, the President warned security agencies to be mindful of the citizens when carrying out their assignments so as to eliminate the negative impact of their interventions.
The incident sparked a global outrage, with the United Nations and United States, among others, condemning the killings.
Any security operative found wanting would face the wrath of the law, the President said.
His words: “The establishment of this committee re-affirms the readiness and commitment of this administration to bring the state of violence and insecurity we have witnessed to an end.
“Let me also use this opportunity to re-echo what I have been saying all over the world, at the UN, AU (African Union) and other platforms, that the effect of small arms and light weapons in Africa is worse than the effect of nuclear weapons because most African states are so unstable because of the free flow of small arms and light weapons.
“And we plead with these countries, especially the industrialised nations that manufacture small arms and light weapons and push them into Africa are not doing good to the world. The effect is as bad as production and distribution of (harmful) drugs, because the free use of small arms and light weapons is threatening. I believe that it is even more devastating than that of drugs.
“Without the free flow of small arms and light weapons, leading the war against drug trafficking would have been easier for states. So, we use this opportunity to urge the UN to again come out with comprehensive approach to the control of small arms and light weapons.”
The dialogue committee is to establish the link and open up dialogue with members of Boko Haram – the fundamentalist Islamic sect whose insurgency has killed thousands. It is also to develop a framework through which disarmament will take place, thus they should work out sustainable option that could lead to granting amnesty to this group.
“They should also have to develop a comprehensive victims’ support programme, because a number of people are victims of the excesses of Boko Haram, he said, adding:
“They must also come up with suggestions on how to address underlining causes of the crisis in order to ensure that as a nation we do not face a similar threat in the future.
“In as much as we appreciate that in any human situation there must be disputes, disagreements and conflicts, but if we know about these and we have a good approach early enough, I believe that it will not degenerate to the situation we have today.”
Warning the security agencies to be cautious, the President said: “But let me use this opportunity to also charge the security agencies that while remaining at work, they must also be mindful of the citizens of this country. In attempting to bring peace to the country or any part of the country, they should do so in a manner that will not bring destruction to the third party.
“The issue that affected some part of Borno State that is in the media today is being investigated. I will tell Nigerians and investing community that government will take steps to make sure that if errors are made, that such people are cautioned and treated in line with our own laws and regulations.”
Thanking members of the committees for accepting the task, he said: “I sincerely appreciate those of you who accepted to serve – In some cases, when you call people to serve they will accept to serve whether you consult them or not.
“In some cases, people raise issues as most of you were not even consulted. But, of course, all of you are aware of the challenges we have as a nation; and when your names were mentioned, you willingly agreed to play your own part to see how we can stabilise the country; to bring peace and development in our country. On behalf of the government, we thank all of you for accepting to serve.”
Rights activist Shehu Sani and Cleric Datti Ahmad refused to be on the committee. Sani said he was not consulted. Besides, he faulted the process.
Datti said the membership of the Boko Haram Committee should not have had government officials.
Jonathan said the Small Arms and Light Weapons Committee should establish links and cooperation with similar institutions and other agencies that can help to build capacity; enhance information sharing and develop multi-level international support relationship as well as strengthen regional cooperation.
“The committee should also focus on putting forward policy situations as well as reviewing existing ones and recommend implementation strategy to combat illicit trafficking of small arms and light weapons as well as measures to enhance border security, proposed legislations and regulatory framework to strengthen control of the proliferation of small arms and light weapons in line with international standard.”
Responding, the Minister of Special Duties, who chair the Committee on Dialogue and Peaceful Resolution of Security Challenges in the North, Kabiru Tanimu Turaki, said: “The inauguration of our committee this morning has provided a veritable platform for genuine and sincere resolution of the crisis in the North.”
Turaki urged Nigerians to assist the committee with information to enable it carry out its assignment.
The chairman of the Committee on Small Arms and Light Weapons, Ambassador Emmanuel Imohe promised that it would not fail.
Members of the Presidential Committee on Dialogue and Peaceful Resolution of Security Challenges in the North are: Sheik Ahmed Lemu; Dr. Hakeem Baba Ahmed; Col. Musa Shehu (rtd.); Sheik Abubakar Tureta; Senator Sodangi Abubakar; Senator Ahmed Makarfi; Mohammed Matawalle; Ambassador Zakari Ibrahim; and Hajiya Naja’atu Mohammed.
Others include: Mallam Adamu S. Ladan; Dr. Joseph Golwa; AVM A. I. Shehu; Mr. R. I. Nkemdirim, Deputy Inspector-Genaral of Police (DIG) P. I. Leha; Prof. Nur Alkali; Malam Salihu Abubakar; Alhaji Abubakar Sani Lugga; Ibrahim Tahir; Brig-Gen. Ibrahim Sabo; Ambassador Baba Ahmed Jidda; Group Capt. Bilal Bulama, rtd., Prof. Bolaji Akinyemi, Aisha Wakil, Bilkisu Yusuf and a representative of Office of the Secretary of the Government of the Federation (OSGF) as Secretary.
The Small arm and Light Weapons Committee has Ambassadors Martin I. Uhomoibhi, T. Dan Hart, Ghali Umar; B. G. Wakil, Mr. Opelusi Olureti, representative of the Interior Ministry, representative of the National Security Adviser (NSA), representative of the Director-General (DG) of the State Security Service (SSS); representative of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA) and representative of Federal Ministry of Justice, Others are: representatives of the Ministry of Defence; Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA); Nigeria Police Force; Nigerian Customs Service, OSGF; and the Director, International Organisations Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, who was named as committee secretary.
Culled from The nation
No comments:
Post a Comment