AMNESTY ROW: FG MOVES TO COUNTER BOKO HARAM

THE Federal Government is beefing up security at Nigeria’s land borders as a fallout of the rejection of its planned amnesty by the Islamist sect, Boko Haram.

The move, it was gathered, was aimed at countering any offensive the sect might want to launch in the aftermath of its rejection of Federal Government’s proposed amnesty.

Consequently, the government has asked all military formations and security agencies to be on red alert in order to forestall fresh cases of insurgency nationwide.

But it has no plan, at least for now, to shelve the planned clemency.

Government, it was gathered, directed security agencies and the military not to take things for granted.

Particular attention is being paid to strategic borders linking Nigeria with Niger Republic, Cameroon and Chad.

Land routes and villages in such areas are suspected to be the hideouts of Boko Haram coordinators.

A government source, who spoke in confidence, said: “The rejection of amnesty by Boko Haram has pointed to the fact that members of the sect can unleash terror on any part of the country. This has made the government to be proactive.

“All security agencies and military formations have been ordered to do their best to protect lives and property nationwide, especially in key Northern states like Kano, Borno, Yobe, Adamawa and Bauchi.

“Government has mapped out strategies to ensure that the insurgency is curtailed. That is why you see the JTF in Kano , Borno and Yobe engaging in pre-emptive surveillance and strikes where necessary.”

On the fate of the planned amnesty, the source said: “In spite of the position of Boko Haram, the government is going on with its plans pending the time the leaders of the sect would embrace dialogue.

“The technical committee is still working out the modalities because the President wants peace and tranquility in the country. After the sect has accepted to dialogue, then the plans can fully take off.

“We believe that some Northern elders will assist the government to reach out to Boko Haram leaders to come to the peace table.”

Meanwhile, the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office has said that it is prepared to work with Nigeria to beat national and international security threats.

The collaboration is one of its worldwide priorities.

In a posting on its website, the FCO said: “Nigeria’s internal security and external security threats to the country affects the stability and prosperity of not only Nigeria but also the region and globally.

“We are supporting Nigeria to reinforce its efforts in beating threats of violence from terrorists, militants and radicals internally.

“We are supporting Nigeria to overcome the threats of organised crime and corruption across borders.

“We are encouraging Nigeria to play an important role externally at the African Union, United Nations and within the Economic Organisation of West African States (ECOWAS).

“We are increasing cooperation to beat global, regional and national terrorist threats. We are providing support and guidance to the Nigerian criminal justice system to deal with terrorist suspects in an effective, efficient and legal way that respects human rights values.”

Source: The nation