Federal Govt blames the Law for escalating Boko Haram Actions

THE presidential committee set up by the Federal Government on the security challenges in the North-East zone of Nigeria has come down hard on Nigerian judges for aiding the activities of Boko Haram by setting arrested members of the sect free on technical grounds.

In a White Paper released by the Federal Government on the findings and recommendations of the committee, members were of the unanimous opinion that the judiciary should be sensitised to be mindful of the security implications of granting bails to terror suspects.

And in line with the findings, the Federal Government will soon take steps to review the relevant laws to address the challenge.

“The judiciary was identified as one of the major obstacles in the effort to check the activities of Boko Haram. Oftentimes, suspects arraigned before the courts are set free on technical grounds. Such suspects are usually re-cycled back into the society to continue to unleash mayhem. The action of the courts in discharging leaders of the sect or granting them bails contributed in emboldening them to continue with their negative activities.

“For instance, the discharge of Mohammed Yusuf on two occasions by an Abuja court made a hero out of him, as the reception accorded him upon his return was an avenue for him to attract additional membership into the sect,” the committee declared.

Other principal recommendations of the committee of which almost all was accepted by the Federal Government are that the Federal Government should direct the security agencies to beam their searchlights on some politicians who sponsored, funded and used militia groups that later metamorphosed into Boko Haram and bring them to justice.

“That there is urgent need to constructively engage and dialogue with the leadership of the sect as an essential strategy in bringing them on board but that the government should negotiate from a position of strength by allowing the security forces to dominate the environment and that dialogue with the sect should be contingent upon their renunciation of violence and surrender of arms.