….Seeks drastic Approach against Terrorists
By MBACHU GODWIN, Abuja
African Democratic Congress, ADC has accused the Federal government of doing deals with the bandits following the release of victims abducted by bandits across the country recently.
The party said that such negotiation was not the right approach in fighting insurgency in the country , calling on the government to come out clean to tackle the menace
Addressing journalists shortly after a Coalition partners stake holders meeting at the party’s secretariat, Abuja, Wednesday, National Publicitu Secretary, Malam Bolaji Abdullahi said the party is concerned over the rising insecurity in the country .
“Yet, even as we welcome the safe return of the victims, we remain deeply concerned about the opaque and troubling manner in which their release was secured.
The conflicting accounts coming from different government officials make it clear that the Federal Government is not being honest with Nigerians about the circumstances surrounding the release of the abducted victims.
” We strongly believe that this administration is negotiating deals with insurgents. It is especially alarming to hear the Inspector General of Police state that the perpetrators of the Kwara church attack were not arrested because they “came out voluntarily for the peace talk.” Equally troubling is the comment attributed to the Presidential Spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, suggesting that the abductees were released simply because the government and security operatives“asked them nicely.”
“This raises serious questions: Is the Nigerian government paying ransom to insurgents? What exactly was exchanged for the so-called “surrender of weapons” by the kidnappers? And if these bandits truly surrendered weapons, what prevents them from simply acquiring new ones and continuing their criminal enterprise, if they are not going to be arrested and brought to face justice? What happened to the people they shot and killed in cold blood? Where is justice for the families of those victims if their murderers are allowed to go scot-free because government needs a quick-win to celebrate?
“The ADC is deeply concerned that if negotiation with bandits has become the government’s strategy for tackling insurgency and the surge in kidnappings, then Nigeria is on a dangerous and misguided path. It is the approach of an administration searching for shortcuts instead of confronting the problem decisively. By appeasing insurgents in this manner, the government is, in effect, expanding the banditry economy.
Predictably, the bandits returned to the same Ekiti Local Government the very next day after the release of the churchgoers, abducting 11 more people in Isaac Community, Ekiti Local Government Area, of Kwara State. This pattern shows clearly that a system that focuses on “rescuing” victims without bringing perpetrators to justice only reinforces the vicious cycle of terror”
The party also criticized the Federal government over the sudden decision of closure of Unity schools across the country , describing it as a sign of defeat
” The federal government closure of schools A few days ago, in response to the escalating abductions of school children, the Federal Government ordered the closure of 47 Unity Schools Across the Country. Several state governments have followed suit, shutting down schools and sending children home.
“While the government may consider this the safest short-term option, it sends a dangerous message to the terrorists. A government that quietly negotiates with insurgents and then shuts down schools to avoid further kidnappings has, in effect, conceded ground to terror. By closing schools, the Tinubu administration is reinforcing the very ideology Boko Haram was built upon, and signalling weakness where strength is required”
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