Security agencies are working on fresh clues that
Boko Haram leaders may have been relocating to Nigeria from Mali.Some key operational bases of the sect, such as
Kano, Bama, Potiskum, Damaturu and Maiduguri, are under watch because security
agencies suspect that some Boko Haram (Western education is a sin) leaders are
in hiding in these places. But, despite the ceasefire announced by a faction of
the sect, the Federal Government has ordered the military and other security
agencies to be on the alert.
The Minister of Justice, Mr. Mohammed Bello
Adoke(SAN), said the government was waging a war against terrorism to avoid
erosion of the nation’s democratic values. Security agencies are working on
fresh clues that Boko Haram leaders are retreating back to Nigeria from Mali
where foreign forces, including Nigeria’s, have routed Islamist pushing to take
over power. Mali is believed to be stronghold of al-Qaeda, which is believed to
be backing the insurgency in some part of Nigeria.
A top source, who spoke in confidence, said: “We
think that the ceasefire by a faction of Boko Haram might be a consequence of
the devastating effects of France and the UN Intervention Mission forces in
Mali. “There are intelligence reports indicating that some key leaders of the
sect have retreated to Nigeria from Mali. That is why we have placed some of
their operational bases under watch, despite the ceasefire. These bases are in
Kano, Bama, Potiskum, Damaturu and Maiduguri, among other border towns.”
Responding to a question, the source added: “The government is cautious on the
declaration of ceasefire because it might be a ploy by the retreating Boko
Haram leaders to regain the control of lost bases and unleash more devastating
mayhem on the country. “We cannot afford to take things for granted or be
carried away by the proclamation of a ceasefire.
The Chief of Defence Staff, Vice-Admiral Ibrhim Ola
Sa’ad, has asked Boko Haram leaders to prove their commitment to the ceasefire
within 30 days.” Another source said: “In spite of the ceasefire, security
agencies have been directed to mount water-tight security in volatile states in
the Northeast and Northwest. “So, we will increase the tempo of the present
security arrangement in terror-prone states.
The recent change of GOCs and top military
commanders of some the Army, the Air Force and the Navy is part of plans to
step up security nationwide.” Adoke yesterday gave an insight into why the
government has been fighting Boko Haram and other terror-related organisations.
Adoke , who spoke at a two-day peace and security summit of the Nigerian Bar
Association (NBA) in Abuja, said the government cannot handover victory to
terrorists. “There is no doubt that challenges to internal security can erode
democratic gains and indeed our mutual co-existence as a pluralistic society.
“The wanton and indiscriminate deprivation of
innocent lives and the infliction of harm on countless others by the wave of
attacks carried out by the terrorist group, known as Boko Haram coupled with
the spate of kidnappings in the country must be seen as direct attacks on the
core values of democratic governance, namely the rule of law; the protection of
the dignity of human beings; mutual respect among people of different faith and
peaceful resolution of conflict.
Adoke said: “Although, views differ on the
approaches that have been adopted in our fight against terrorism and the
relative successes so far recorded, we are mindful of the need to ensure that
our core democratic values are not eroded in the process, to do that would
amount to handing victory to the terrorists “As a democrat, I firmly believe in
the sustainable approach we have adopted in the current challenges. Our
strategy aims to: protect individuals and communities; stabilise existing
conflicts and discontentment; counter- harmful and extremist sentiments and
ideologies; and deploy adequate response to economic and social insecurities
that contribute to the growth of terrorism.
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