FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
NIGERIANS UNITE AGAINST INSECURITY AND TERRORISM (NUAIT)
ABUJA, NIGERIA. 24/04/2013

The Extra-judicial Massacre in Baga (Bornu State), Nigeria

Nigeria’s public space is awash with the alleged indiscriminate extra-judicial killing of about 185 people including women, children and the burning of over 2,000 houses at Baga, Kukawa Local Government Area of Bornu State, Nigeria.
Nigeria’s Military authorities contend that ‘’only’’ 37 civilians and a soldier lost their lives in the clash between the Joint Task Force (JTF) and suspected Boko Haram members.

Whether 185 people as reported by the media or ‘’only'' 37 people as agreed to by the Military authorities, the bottom line is that the sanctity of human life has been basterdized here. This is akin to the Odi and Zaki Biam scenarios.
While we strongly condemn the killing of a soldier that may have prompted the JTF’s retaliatory rampage, there is no justification for the alleged wholesale killings by the JTF to avenge the death of one of their own. What happened to the rules of engagement?

Masterminds of the recent Boston marathon bombing reportedly shot and killed a 26 year old Police officer-Sean Collier but this did not prompt Boston Police officers to vent their anger on innocent citizens. Obama and the family of Sean rather praised him for ‘’dying bravely in the line of duty, doing what he committed his life to doing - serving and protecting others’’. The United State’s security agencies ensured that at least one of the suspects- Dzhokhar Tsarnaev was captured alive. This will enable authorities to extract useful information from him.

Canadian authorities recently foiled a ‘’major terrorist attack’’ in Toronto. Tips from the Moslem community led to the arrest of the suspects. This was possible because members of the public cooperated with the security agencies. Nigeria’s Security Agencies must take a cue from their Western counterparts.

We appreciate the sacrifices, unconventional and precarious nature of the task of Nigeria’s Security Agencies in their fight against insurgents and terrorists. We implore the security agencies to be less pugnacious, more proactive and invest more resources in intelligence gathering so as to nip insecurity and terrorism in the bud.

A penchant for indiscriminate killing of suspects and innocent people invariably creates a dichotomy between the security agencies and the citizenry that are supposed to volunteer nuggets of sensitive information. Such a proclivity is definitely counter-productive to the fight against insecurity and terrorism. The Security Agencies must not metamorphose to terrorists in the guise of fighting terrorists.

As usual, the Presidency has ordered an investigation, the Senate wants to do their own investigation and there are calls for a judicial commission of inquiry. Committees and sub-committees will be set up. The report of the various panels and committees will join their ancestors in ‘’Nigeria’s National Archive of Committee Reports’’ and it is business as usual again. We must do away with this culture of jamboree investigative panels, committees and sub-committees. We believe there are specific agencies of government constitutionally empowered to handle such issues rather than unnecessary duplication of roles with its attendant fiscal profligacy.

Please let us give peace a chance. Nigerians Unite Against Insecurity and Terrorism. See it, hear it, say it, stop it!!!

God bless Nigeria and Nigerians!

Signed
Don Okereke
donnuait@yahoo.com
+2347080008285


Attention:
1. President Goodluck Jonathan
2. Alhaji Sambo Dasuki (National Security Adviser)
3. Senator David Mark (President of the Senate)
4. Hon. Aminu Tambuwal (Speaker House of Representatives)
5. Chief of Defence Staff
6. Chief of Army Staff
7. Minister of foreign Affairs
8. The Minister of Justice & Attorney General of Nigeria
9. Mr. Mohammed Abubarka (Inspector General of Police)
10. Ekpeyong E. Ita (DG, State Security Service (SSS))
11. All 36 State governors in Nigeria
12. All DIG’s, AIG’s, and Police Commissioners of Police
13. All radio, TV, Media houses and Internet bloggers
14. Civil Liberties Organization, Nigeria
15. Nigerian Bar Association (NBA)
16. Network on Police Reform
17. Amnesty International
18. Human Rights Watch
19. National Human Rights Commission

""Nigeria’s Military authorities contend that ‘’only’’ 37 civilians and a soldier lost their lives in the clash between the Joint Task Force (JTF) and suspected Boko Haram members"" @OP THIS IS NOT WHAT THE MILITARY REPORTED!

""This is akin to the Odi and Zaki Biam scenarios"" THIS ISNT CORRECT, PEOPLE OF ODI AND ZAKI BIAM DID NOT HABOR TERRORIST, NOR WERE THEY USED AS HUMAN SHIELD BY INTERNATIONAL TERRORIST DONT MIX MATTERS UP FOR SENTIMENTS


"Masterminds of the recent Boston marathon bombing reportedly shot and killed a 26 year old Police officer-Sean Collier but this did not prompt Boston Police officers to vent their anger on innocent citizens". WRONG! BECAUSE THE PEOPLE OF BOSTON STOOD AGAINST THE TERRORIST AND FULLY COOPERATED WITH THE SECURITY AGENCIES

Tips from the Moslem community led to the arrest of the suspects. THE SOLDEIRS IN BAGA WHO CAME UNDER HEAVY ATTACKS DID NOT GET TIPS FROM BAGA RESIDENTS THAT TERRORIST WERE ACTIVE IN THEIR COMMUNITY MOSQUE, EVEN WITH HEAVY WEAPONRY.

"We appreciate the sacrifices, unconventional and precarious nature of the task of Nigeria’s Security Agencies in their fight against insurgents and terrorists. We implore the security agencies to be less pugnacious, more proactive and invest more resources in intelligence gathering so as to nip insecurity and terrorism in the bud". YES, YOUR SUPPORT AND CONSTRUCTIVE CRITICISM IS WHAT IS NEEDED, DONT FORGET.... AND SECURITY TIPS TO FISH TERRORIST OUT TOO

"As usual, the Presidency has ordered an investigation, the Senate wants to do their own investigation and there are calls for a judicial commission of inquiry. Committees and sub-committees will be set up" IT IS GOOD TO WAIT FOR THE REPORT/INVESTIGATION TO BE RELEASED, BEFORE HASTILY CONCLUDING THAT IT WAS "Extra-judicial Massacre"

"Please let us give peace a chance. Nigerians Unite Against Insecurity and Terrorism. See it, hear it, say it, stop it!!!

God bless Nigeria and Nigerians!"

ATTENTION:
Don Okereke
NUAIT

@ Dgitrader

Hi,
Thanks for your contribution and for the issues you raised therein. At least this shows some folks have the knack and patience to peruse detailed essays and contributions.

Please may I beseech you to read this: ‘’Fighting Insecurity and Terrorism: Lessons from the Boston Marathon Terrorist Incident’’ https://www.nairaland.com/1271762/fighting-insecurity-terrorism-lessons-boston

It is a sequel to the Press Release you commented on. I hope it freshens out your concerns.
Thank you very much. All the best.

Don