Boko Haram wants to conquer Nigeria, Umar raises alarm

Dangiwa

by: Yusuf alli,

A former Military Governor of Kaduna State, Col. Abubakar Dangiwa Umar (rtd) yesterday described the Boko Haram insurgency in the North-East is a war against Nigeria.

He said the insurgents intend to use a conquered North East as a launch pad to take over the nation.

He suggested nine ways of tackling the insurgency, including the suspension of national celebrations, recall of all armed forces personnel in the reserve and the recall of military and security personnel on non-essential duties.

He however kicked against arms blockade against Nigeria by the United States.

Umar, who made his position known in a statement in Abuja, faulted the alleged recklessness and the cold indifference being displayed by the nation’s politicians, who are preoccupied with the 2015 poll.

The statement said: “We need to understand that the war in North East is a war against Nigeria. The insurgents intend to use a conquered North East as a launch pad to invade and conquer the rest of the country and possibly the whole of the West African sub-region.

“Boko Haram is well funded by ALQAEDA in the Magrib, (AQIM) as well as the booty they acquire in the numerous territories they conquer. Nigerians must wake up to the reality that their only defence against the marauding insurgents is our visibly demoralised military.”

Umar asked all Nigerians to rise against the insurgents.

He said: “Nigerians, irrespective of our religious and ethnic differences at home or in diaspora must feel threatened and act accordingly against this growing threat of Boko Haram insurgency.

“We must be psychologically and emotionally involved in the war against BH. It is a task that we must do while we still can.”

He suggested seven ways of tackling the insurgency, including the suspension of national celebrations and recall of all armed forces personnel in the reserve.

The statement added: “The BH (Boko Haram) cancer must be prevented from metastasizing. For an effective war against the insurgents, we must resolve to do the following: “Show unity of purpose by stopping all divisive recriminations as to which group of Nigerians is responsible for the emergence and support of BH. It is not true that the Federal Government is behind the BH nor is any anti-President Jonathan politician responsible.

“We must give unalloyed support to the Federal Government and by extension our security forces in their difficult task of combating the BH insurgents.

“More than ever before, Nigerians must be security conscious.

“Politicians must desist from using our security challenges to score cheap political goals. They must also show example by refraining from excessive celebrations during their electioneering campaigns.

“All national celebrations must be suspended. We should also suspend our participation in international sporting events until our security situation improves.

“In an effort to mobilise and focus the nation’s attention on our war effort, the FGN should declare a period of mourning in honour of the victims of insurgency. Special prayers should be held in churches and mosques for the victims, including prayers for the release of the Chibok school girls and other abducted victims.

“The need to beef up the strength of our security forces cannot be overemphasised. To this end, the Federal Government should recall all armed forces personnel in the reserve.