By Emeka Alex Duru
Chances of Nigeria getting to the roots of terrorism and effectively tackling the menace, appeared brighter on Wednesday, following the disclosure by the Minister of Justice and Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), Abubakar Malami (SAN), that terrorism financiers in the country have been identified and would be dealt with appropriately.
Although the minister did not mention those identified by the Federal Government, he gave an assurance that they would be brought to justice, after all. Malmi made the disclosure on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York. He spoke on other strategies at fighting terrorism, including blockage of funding and aggressive investigation with the aim of bringing culprits to justice.
“As far as that aspect (of terrorism financing) is concerned, we have succeeded, one, in identifying those that are responsible for funding.
“Two, blocking the leakages associated with the funding, and then, three, embarking on an aggressive investigation that is indeed impacting positively in terms of the fight against terrorism”, Malami said in the interview on Channels Television, monitored by our correspondent.
He added that the investigations and arrests were being carried out in line with the country’s laws, insisting that due process would be followed.
“One thing I can tell you for sure is that whatever we do, in terms of detention and arrest, is indeed backed by judicial processes.
“We have acquired and obtained legitimate court orders, taking into consideration the facts and material proof of evidence presented before the court on account of which the court eventually exercises its discretion in terms of granting orders that we can have the suspects in custody pending the conclusion of the investigation”, the minister said.
Malami did not however, state if those identified would be unmasked or tried secretly. President Muhammadu Buhari’s Media Adviser, Femi Adesina, had, during the week said the government was not interested in naming and shaming sponsors of terrorism, but winning the war against the criminals.
“Naming and shaming will not be the motive. Bringing malefactors to justice will be it. Nigeria is not interested in naming and shaming anybody. Rather, it wants to bring them to justice”, Adesina said in a television appearance that has drawn flaks from Nigerians.
As part of efforts to assist Nigeria overcome the menace posed to its citizens and corporate existence by terrorists and bandits, the United States (US) government had earlier in the month, expressed its willingness to identify sponsors of terrorism in the country.
US Ambassador to Nigeria, Mary Beth Leonard made the pledge at a round-table interaction on US – Nigeria military cooperation in Abuja, adding that talks were ongoing on the matter. The Ambassador said, “That is something (identifying sponsors of terrorism) we are very eager to partner Nigeria on. I have had at least three conversations in the last two months on this subject”.
The offer from America comes on the heels of the 12-year Boko Haram insurgency that has taken great toll on life and property of Nigerians.
Since its emergence in 2009, Boko Haram has launched attacks on Nigerians, resulting to deaths and destruction of properties. The group has carried out attacks on religious centres, markets, schools, farms, hospitals, police and military formations. Members have also engaged in suicide bombings, abduction of students, raids on villages and kidnap of travelers, among other criminal activities.
An estimated 500,000 people have been killed by the insurgents since they began their operations. The recent disclosure by Borno State governor, Prof Babagana Zulum that over 100,000 indigenes of the state have been killed since the outbreak of the insurgency, points to the audacious onslaught of the group on Nigerians.
The group has also displaced over three million Nigerians from their homes and has contributed to food crises and famines particularly in the North East, as farmers can no longer visit their farms. North-East currently accounts for nearly 60 per cent of the 13 million out-of-school children in the country, due to the activities of insurgents in the area.
The murderous activities of Boko Haram in the North East are also replicated in similar measures by bandits in the North West and North central. Armed Fulani herdsmen are also killing Nigerians and destroying businesses.
