The All Progressives Congress has disagreed with President Goodluck Jonathan’s position that the Federal Government will not compensate the victims of the Boko Haram killings, which started in 2009.
The party said if the decision was upheld, it would amount to double failure on the part of the Federal Government and double jeopardy for the victims.
A statement by the Interim National Chairman of the party, Chief Bisi Akande in Abuja on Wednesday, contained the party’s position.
Akande said in the first instance, the killings and maiming occurred because the Federal Government failed in its most important task of ensuring the security of lives and property.
He added that the same government that failed to live up to the main reason for its existence, which he said was the security and welfare of the citizenry, had now failed to provide succour for the victims of its own failure.
He said, “This constitutes double irresponsibility on the part of the government, and double jeopardy for the thousands of victims, who have been killed and wounded by the insurgents.
“After the people were victimised by Boko Haram, they are now being victimised by their government. This is unacceptable, and President Jonathan must have a rethink.
“The APC believes that the issue of compensation for victims of Boko Haram should not be subject to any debate.”
He said all victims of the Boko Haram insurgency must be compensated without delay, and that they must be given succour and be made to feel that their government cares for them.
Akande admitted that compensation would not be able to bring back the thousands who have been killed, he said the compensation was capable of providing succour for the children, parents, brothers, sisters and other family members left behind by the victims. Click to signup for FREE news updates, latest information and hottest gists everyday
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What about JTF's victims? Reports have shown that the bulk of the victims were killed by the JTF. The massacre committed by the Nigerian Army in BAGA must not be swept under the carpet. The people should go to court to claim compensation afterall a precedence has been set in the case involving Odi community in the president's home state. That trial seemed to have been staged and the decision of the federal government not to appeal the multi billion naira judgement left many questions unanswered.
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