Against the backdrop of increased terrorist attacks in the country
and fears that the Boko Haram sect may have targeted the bombing of
foreign embassies operating in Nigeria, the British High Commissioner in
Nigeria, Mr. Andrew Lloyd, yesterday declared that Britain was willing
to provide intelligence and technological support in the nation’s fight
against terrorism.
Mr Lloyd who disclosed this when he paid a visit to the Minister of
Defence, Bello Haliru Mohammed in his office said the very close
bilateral relations between Nigeria and Britain had made it imperative
that issues of terrorism which are condemnable acts are tackled headlong
together in the interest of the people of both nations.
He said that though Britain has always provided support in the areas
of training for Nigeria’s military personnel, it has made it imperative
for new pages of cooperation to be opened in providing modern
technological devices and the advanced intelligence needed to tackle
terrorism cankerworm.
The High Commissioner also disclosed that the Defence Industries
Corporation of Nigeria (DICON), which is presently operating below
capacity would be given British support and experience through the
exchange of expertise and other required support to succeed in its quest
to develop, manufacture and assemble arms and ammunition for the
nation.
Defence Minister, Dr. Bello Mohammed in his response, requested
Britain’s support in Nigeria’s bid to become a permanent member of the
UN security council explaining that by virtue of Nigeria’s contribution
to peace keeping efforts worldwide, the country deserves to be at the
security council.
Commending Britain for its support to the armed forces particularly
as it regards training and capacity building of personnel, the minister
reminded the High Commissioner that terrorism being a global phenomenon,
required all hands to be on deck to fight it hence he called for
greater cooperation between the two countries in this regard.
Dr. Bello further requested Britain to improve its trade ties with
Nigeria and show example to other countries still dragging their feet
toward investing and benefitting from the immense socio-economic and
mineral opportunities that abound within the country.
Niger Delta militants volunteer to join forces with army
Meanwhile following uncovered intelligence reports that the Islamic
sect, Boko Haram, had concluded plans to bomb some states in the
Niger-Delta, South-East and South-West geo-political zones, militants in
the Niger Delta, have volunteered to team up with the security
agencies, especially the armed forces to repel the rebellious group.
Spokesman of the militants under the aegis of Niger Delta Liberation
Force, NDLF, “Captain” Mark Anthony, in an online statement, Tuesday,
said the Israeli forces contracted by the government cannot provide
adequate security and volunteered special security services for
President Goodluck Jonathan and members of his immediate family because
of the precarious security situation in the country.
The militant group specifically warned Boko Haram members to steer
clear of Niger Delta in their own interest, saying, “If they ignore this
warning, the counter reaction will be disastrous”.
Part of the statement reads thus: “We, on behalf of the good people
of Niger Delta and Nigerians do hereby offer to partner with the federal
security force, especially the army to give voluntary security services
to President Goodluck Jonathan and his immediate family over the
precarious security situation created by the Islamic sect, Boko Haram
with suicide bombing at strategic locations in Abuja and other cities in
the nation, thereby creating total insecurity”.
“This call for partnership becomes expedient, especially with the
porous security network and backstabbing at high security quarters ,
which gave the feeling that the life of the President and his immediate
family members is at risk.
“We show concern for the fact that the Nigerian security apparatus
have been overtly cowed down by the activities of the Boko Haram. For
us, President Goodluck Jonathan is a product of our intensified Niger
Delta arms struggle and we will not claim not to know that the Boko
Harram mission is to destabilize President Goodluck Jonathan’s
administration or assassinate him, if they could have their way. God
will not allow it to happen as emergence of President Goodluck Jonathan
was through divine providence”, he added..
The militant group stated that, “The Boko Haram agitation is not
anti-western education, but anti Niger Delta/Christianity and we will
not continue to fold our hands and allow these devils in human faces to
terrorize and kill innocent citizens at will”.
“We are aware that the government had offered the security of the
life of President Goodluck Jonathan to Israeli police, but that is not
enough as NDLF tested soldiers are still very visible to give the
President the needed support/security as one of our own from any
external force, if the enabling environment is given to us.
“We do not want anything to happen to the life of our President. This
is because President Goodluck Jonathan is an exchange of lives of
countless youths who died during the heat of Niger Delta agitation.
For us, suicide bombing or throwing hand grenade at public places is ‘
woman fight’, that is why while we were in the creek, we always alertëd
soldiers of our pre-targets and our locations. And we did not throw any
bomb at public places because such operations are devilish and satanic
and are not part of Niger Delta struggle.”
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Britain joins fight against Boko Haram
Britain joins fight against Boko Haram
NigerianEye
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Wednesday, September 21, 2011
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