BY KINGSLEY OMONOBI – ABUJA
The Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Onyeabor Azubuike Ihejirika, Wednesday, gave the strongest condemnation yet, of the murderous activities of the Boko Haram sect saying ‘For us, the issue is that people are being killed and people are committing crime for no just cause. If they are not cowards, why don’t they come out and operate in the open”.
Describing them as ‘traitors’, General Ihejirika who was briefing the media as part of activities to mark this year’s Nigeria Army Day Celebration (NADCEL) holding in Uyo, said, “The fact that they have succeeded in throwing one or two bombs does not make them invincible. They capitalize on the general complacency in the security of the country”.
Taking a swipe at the some unpatriotic Nigerians for supporting the activities of Boko Haram and some security agencies whose laxity in the performance of their duties has enable the menace thrive, the Army Chief said, “Several unpatriotic Nigerians are aiding and abetting Boko Haram. That is why they thrive. Their aim is to intimidate people into exposing them. That is why they operate the way they do”.
‘No one should be intimidated to give information on Boko Haram. If they are not cowards, why don’t they operate in the open? Nothing they have done that is new. It has been happening abroad. We just have to awaken our security consciousness. If people are loitering around for no just cause, people living in that particular area should ask questions. If Imams or good Muslims hear a sheik or Imam preaching messages that are inciting, these sheiks should be stopped or reported to appropriate authorities”.
Reminded that some school of thought was pushing for dialogue or negotiation with Boko Haram, Ihejirika said, “The activities of the group is benefiting from the effect of proliferation of arms and ammunitions from our borders. It seems they are also being mobilized to get into these atrocities. Whether you grant them amnesty or not, our concern is that people are being killed and people are committing crime for no just cause”.
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Boko Haram terrorists are cowards, says Army Chief