President Goodluck Jonathan says the Boko Haram sect has murdered no fewer than 13,000 Nigerians. Describing the trend as “unacceptable,” he challenged the international community to put in more efforts to stop the global menace of terrorism. Speaking at a high level meeting of the United Nations Security Council in New York, United States of America, Jonathan said terrorism has had destructive effects on the country in the past five years.
“Nigeria knows too well the destructive effects of terrorist activities. Over the past five years, we have been, and are still confronting threats posed by Boko Haram to peace and stability, predominantly in the North Eastern part of our country”, Mr. Jonathan said.
“The costs are high: over 13,000 people have been killed, whole communities razed, and hundreds of persons kidnapped, the most prominent being the mindless kidnap of our innocent daughters from Chibok Secondary School, in North East Nigeria”.
While appreciating the UN’s leadership for convening the meeting to address global terrorism concerns, he said the resolution adopted by member states was a critical step in mobilizing international action against terrorism. The president said his government had doggedly mobilised resources at its disposal to ensure that the scourge was rooted out of Nigeria.
He listed some of such efforts to include the Presidential Initiative for the North East, Victims Support Fund as well as the Safe Schools Initiative, which is supported by former British Prime Minister, Gordon Brown. Continuing he said, “We must now capitalize on the commitment and evident determination of the Security Council to seek more innovative responses to the threat of terrorism and in particular to the growing menace of foreign fighters”, Mr. Jonathan said.
“The council should be concerned about the existence of sources of arming and funding terrorists. Evidence has shown that Boko Haram, for instance, is resourced largely from outside our country.
“We must also commit to ensuring that countries which are in the frontline of this challenge, receive adequate support from the international community.
“The Resolution that we have adopted here today is a critical first step in mobilising international action”, said the Nigeria’s President.
Mr. Jonathan said Nigerians and the world were horrified at the gruesome murder of two American journalists and a British aid worker by elements linked to Islamic State, ISIS.
He noted that the murders typified the new face of global terrorism marked by executions, extreme brutality and impunity, pointing out that Al Qaeda in the Arab Maghreb, Al Shabaab in Somalia, and Boko Haram in North Eastern Nigeria as some of the groups that share the agenda of unleashing terror, destruction and instability around the world.
The nation’s leader noted that bands of foreign fighters have added a troubling dimension to the emerging phase of global terrorism.
Jonathan recalled that from targeted attacks by Al Qaeda a few years ago, the world now witness thousands of mobile terrorists sweeping across vast areas, destroying lives, and even attempting to hold territory.
He, however, thanked the American President, Barrack Obama, and the US Government for the security governance initiative, which was conceived at the US-Africa Summit in August.
“I believe, if expeditiously implemented, the initiative will enhance security on the continent. “Only by united action and firm resolve can we check this raging threat to humanity, and also build the enduring structures that will resist their re-emergence”, he added.
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