July 10, 2015 – Deputy Senate President, Mr. Ike Ekweremadu came under attacks on Friday by All Progressive Congress (APC)over his comments that the radical Islamic sect, Boko Haram was worsening based on series of attacks in the North.
According to APC, what Ekweremadu interpreted as the worsening cases of Boko Haram attacks under the current administration are actually nothing but the desperate pangs of a dying monster.
In a statement issued in Lagos on Friday by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the party said if the distinguished Senator had leveraged his high office to get the necessary information from those involved in the Boko Haram fight, especially the Nigerian military, he would not have made the kind of partisan and incautious comments attributed to him – and which he has not denied.
It said the truth of the matter is that Boko Haram, having been uprooted from its hideouts and put on the run, has become very desperate, hence it is now using its last arsenal to inflict as much damage as it can before it is annihilated, which is just a matter of time.
”Lone wolf suicide bombings and the choice of soft targets by retreating gunmen are now the order of the day, as against the terrorists’ previous coordinated actions of seizing and holding territories,” APC said.
The party said contrary to what Senator Ekweremadu said, the terrorists have been weakened by the more methodical and focused approach of the present Administration to the anti-terror fight, which includes the tightening of security at border locations that has made it difficult for the terrorists to maneuver. This approach is a far cry from the previous haphazard activities.
It said the necessary structures for the effective coordination of the battle against the terrorists have been put in place both within and outside the country, thanks to the regional rallying efforts of the Buhari Administration.
”Now, due to the government’s broad consultations, vital international input and support have become more real and are adding value to the counter-terrorism campaign. With the Nigeria-led Multi-National Joint Task Force due to be deployed by month’s end, it is a matter of time for Boko Haram to be defeated. This monster cannot and will not survive.
”Against this background of a more purposeful and coordinated approach to the Boko Haram battle, Nigerians are assured that the senseless killings and maiming that have characterized one of the most brutal terrorist campaigns ever will soon be over. Nigerians, not least those who should know better, should therefore refrain from making comments that can only serve to create panic rather than alleviate the situation,” APC said.
