Kano State Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso said the country was unprepared for the level of violence from Boko Haram Islamists, saying, “everyone is tired of our situation now because nobody is safe in this country.”
He disclosed this in an interview with AFP, yesterday. Kwankwaso said the insurgency was fuelled by social and economic inequalities in the region compared to the richer, oil-producing south.
He said Jonathan, a Christian from southern Bayelsa state, had failed to heed advice and address the problems.
“There is a very strong correlation between poverty, unemployment and illiteracy on the one hand and of course the issue of insurgency or insecurity on the other,” Kwankwaso said.
“A very poor man who is looking for something to eat can easily be persuaded by the insurgents to be recruited. So, also, the unemployed and the illiterate. And that is exactly what is happening.
“The president has been warned by many people in and outside the country, including (former US) secretary of state Hillary Clinton.
“I’m sure there are many people that told him that long before now but he didn’t take the advice and now we are reaping the consequences.”
Kwankwaso said he welcomed the help of “friendly countries” in the search for more than 200 schoolgirls kidnapped by Boko Haram fighters last month.
But he questioned why Nigeria was no longer able to tackle the situation on its own, given the military’s history of involvement in peacekeeping operations overseas.
“Under normal circumstances, Nigeria should be strong enough to defend itself. We don’t have to ask our friends — the US, UK and so on — to come and help us.
“I have to say that it is very disappointing today that we have to ask some countries to come and help us because as at the time I left office as the minister of defence, we had the capacity to protect every square metre of this country.
“I don’t know what went wrong but this is where we have found ourselves. We have to look for support from elsewhere and that is what those in the saddle of leadership are looking for,” he said.
Kwankwaso said the five-year insurgency had left everyone a target, from ordinary civilians to the police, military, government officials and traditional rulers.
His own father narrowly escaped injury after gunmen attacked a mosque in his village in January, killing three worshippers.
The range of people attacked put paid to claims that politicians in the north were stoking the insurgency as a way of destabilising the government in Abuja, he added.
“Every class is a victim and we hope the government works as tirelessly as possible to end this state of insecurity we are now facing.” Click to signup for FREE news updates, latest information and hottest gists everyday
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Useless man it is your people in the north that is not safe we are safe in southwest if bokoharam kill all the north we well now scrap north from nigeria peace wl now reign in this country ....useless heartless people
ReplyDeleteWas it GEJ that started the causal factors you outlined? Why are you and people in APC and your types so naive. Which region has been in power all these while? Which regions controls over 80% of oil blocks and which region lacks middle class? If there should be complain of poverty and injustice it should come from the south east because the kaduna mafia and northern elders to which you belong is bent on putting them into extinction. Posterity will never NEVER forgive you all VAMPIRES.
ReplyDeleteYou're 100% right, Nobody is safe in Nigeria but here in Biafra land my people are safe. .........
ReplyDeleteDo u want to tell me that it is only the muslims that are poor? So if the Christians also pick up arms against the muslims what then becomes Nigeria? Poverty is all over the land. The ppl frm south south didn't not pick up arms against any specific religion during their struggle. Boko Haram is an islamic agenda period! The reason why u guys are complaining now is because those boys u have armed and indoctrinated no longer listen to your orders they are now doing their own thing. All the bombings in kano took place in Sabon Gari where the Christians (infidels) are more. The northern leaders should cover their faces in shame and shut up their smelly cavity.
ReplyDeleteThose of you that think that you are safe, you are fooling yourselves. You will not be safe for long if we all don't band together to fight Boko haram. Boko haram may be in the north for now, but their agenda is to Islamize the whole of Nigeria not just the north. Besides didn't they bomb Lagos? Is Lagos in the north? They are slowly moving in from the North. We all better fight now before we wake up one day and find Boko haram in our backyard.
ReplyDelete@Anonymous 3:39pm
ReplyDeleteYou don't know what you talking about.Boko haram has more holes to hide in the North that is why they are still existing.
In the South or West, there is no where to hide to couple their bombs.That is what your small brain dont understand.
You people should continue to be hiding them.
Sebi people were telling una that time they were killing only Christians that the Monsters you are empowering to kill will later come back to face you....It is happening now.
Fight Boko haram first in the north, then we will know you are now serious..then,we can join you.
Goats!
Mumu Governor..... Is it Jonathan that started or caused Boko haram insurgence?
ReplyDeleteOde..Mumu Man.
Was it not you Northern leaders through corruption and greediness that impoverish your region?That your children dont go to school because u dont give them avenue?You are now raising you dirty mouth and assigning blame to someone.
Boko haram has been in existence the time you were Defense minister.... and so,what are you now talking about? Big head! Empty head!
We are not safe in Nigeria don't deceive yourselves. Armed robbers came to my street by 10 pm robbed,raped,and molested ppl till 4 am no policemen came until they where gone by 4.30am
ReplyDelete