APO KILLING, POLITICS AND 2015
Last weekend remains one of the bloodiest in recent weeks; from Benisheikh to Lamanti villages all in Borno State, the Boko Haram unleashed mayhem on innocent Nigerians, killing over 150 fellow countrymen.
While these senseless acts of terror were on going, the Army and SSS stormed an uncompleted building around Apo Legislative Quarters, which they claimed is the hub of a new terrorist cell in the FCT. As expected, several reactions have continued to trail the incident.
Of note is the prompt response to the incident by political stakeholders, human right groups and religious leaders. The question is, are these reactions borne out of patriotic zeal or another opportunity to make political gain of a pure security matter? The politics of 2015 has already overtaken our nationalistic sense of reasoning, as sentiments rather than patriotism now drive the survival instinct of our political actors.
It is unfortunate that those leading the protest against the Apo incident have failed to condemn the Boko Haram massacre in Benisheikh and Lamanti in Borno State; neither have they condemned the killing of security personnel by terror groups in Borno, Yobe, Kano, or Nassarawa States. Their silence over these acts of terror in the North-East indicates that they are Boko Haram apologists after all.
If not, why will the deaths of seven (7) Boko Haram suspects in Abuja mean much more to these champions of terror than the mindless killing of over 150 Nigerians by the sect? Why is it that those who blatantly refused to publicly condemned the Boko Haram, are now using the various news media and human rights groups to intimidate and discredit the Government?
We are fully aware that actors in the political crisis in Nigeria are out to make merchandize of the Apo incident. But we want to reiterate here that the safety and unity of Nigeria is greater than 2015; our National sovereignty and development is far more important than any individual or group. Nigerian youths cannot be fooled any longer, that is why they have risen in Borno and Yobe States to put an end to terrorism.
We shall not be cowed or manipulated into believing the selfish and divisive games being played over the Apo incident. Our collective will must aim at eradicating terrorism from Nigeria. Our nation has suffered enough, governance in northern Nigeria has suffered enough; health and educational institutions have suffered enough. We call on our politicians to keep their game within the political arena and stop making gains of Government’s fight against terror.

Long Live Nigeria
Youths United Against Terrorism (YUAT)