We won’t concede any state to Boko Haram –DHQ

JULY 22, 2014 

Director of Defence Information, Maj.-Gen Chris Olukolade.
| credits: www.nigeriancurrent.com

Security agencies in the country have vowed that they will not concede any state of the federation to the Boko Haram Islamic sect or any other terrorist organisation.

The Director of Defence Information, Maj. Gen. Chris Olukolade, made the pledge at a press briefing in Abuja on Monday. The occasion was organised by the National Information Centre, chaired by the Director General of the National Orientation Agency, Mr. Mike Omeri.

Olukolade said, “We are not conceding any part of this country to any terrorist group. The Nigerian security agencies are active and will reverse every form of insecurity wherever. It won’t be stampeded by what is found on the social media.

“The fact remains that we are not conceding any of the state to terrorists. We are committed to securing Nigeria as mandated by the constitution and no group will be allowed to raise any flag in any part of the country. If you see someone hiding a flag under his bed and you want me to confirm it here; that is not possible.”

He was responding to a question seeking confirmation on the reported hoisting of flags and mounting of roadblocks in some parts of Borno State.

Also speaking at the conference, Omeri warned parents not to allow their children to be used negatively by any group, alleging that some #BringBackOurGirls campaigners planned to use children to mark the 100 days of the abduction of over 200 girls from the Government Secondary School, Chibok, on April 14.

Omeri said, “Information available to us now is that some groups are now planning to mobilise children from across the country and within Abuja to commemorate 100 days of the abduction of Chibok girls.

“While it is the legitimate right of citizens to protest, especially in democracy that we practise, the President is committed to ensuring the right of every citizen; we wish to ask parents to be mindful of this development and not to allow their children to be used.”

“We want to state that all of us are standing with the parents of the Chibok girls. There is no need for us to create another round of catastrophe by leading our children where they ought not to be. This is holiday period and they should use it wisely.

“We have noted that a number of people have appeared in solidarity with the government and families of the Chibok girls. This is commendable and encouraging.

“Some people, however, are misdirecting the campaign by introducing issues that are inimical to the entire process. We wish that we will stay with the message; all of us must stay with the message and canvass for the release of these girls.”

On the alleged detention of former Minister of Education, Mrs. Oby Ezekwesili, at the airport on her way to Britain, the Deputy Director of the Department of State Security, Mrs. Marylyn Ogar said the#BringBackOurGirls campaigner was seeking cheap popularity.

She said the DSS was only doing its work and had no intention whatsoever to detain the former minister.

She said, “The government has asked the SSS to be at the airport and I am wondering where Oby is right now. We don’t have any such person in our detention facilities. She is already on her way to the UK.

“Statutorily, the SSS clears all passengers that travel out and into this country. Until people stop aggregating to themselves unnecessary importance, we will continue to have serious security challenges. Security issues must not be trivialised for any reasons.”