Barring a last-minute change of mind, the Federal Government
will soon begin a comprehensive investigation of politicians suspected to be
behind terrorism, especially in the Northeast – hotbed of the deadly Islamist
group, Boko Haram.
This development follows the acceptance
of the recommendation of the Presidential Committee on Security
Challenges in the Northeast.
Also, the committee, headed by Amb.
Usman G. Galtimari, has identified some routes in the Northeast where arms and
explosives are allegedly being imported into the country for terror
attacks.
Besides confirming the involvement of
aliens in terror attacks, the panel urged the Federal Government to
deport illegal foreigners.
It traced the Boko Haram crisis
to the extra-judicial killing of the sect’s leader and his followers in 2009
and the failure of the police to bring the culprits to justice.
On the whole, the committee endorsed
dialogue with Boko Haram if the sect leaders are ready to renounce
violence.
The panel made 10 short-term
recommendations and three long-term options.
The findings and recommendations of the
panel are contained in the White Paper on Galtimari Committee which has just
been released by the Federal Government.
The committee was inaugurated by the
Secretary to the Government of the Federation(SGF), Chief Anyim Pius Anyim, on
August 2, last year.
Members of the committee are: Amb.
Usman G. Galtimari(Chairman); Senator Ali Ndume; Chief Joe-Kyeri Gadzama(SAN);
Col. Musa Shehu(rtd); Senator Bala Mohammed; Dr. Bello Mohammed; Chief Emeka
Wogu; and Alhaji A.B. Shehu.
Following the submission of a final
report by the panel in September last year, the SGF raised a seven-man
White Paper Drafting Committee, which was headed by Comrade A. Mora.
Other members of the committee are:
Alh. Bukar Tijani; Esther G. Gonda; Alh. Abdullahi Yola; Mr. Usman Abubakar;
Mr. Jubril Adeniji; Mr. L.E. Njoku; and Mr. U. Onwuanuokwu.
The report reads in part: “The report
traced the origin of private militias in Borno State in particular, of which
Boko Haram is an offshoot, to politicians who set them up in the run-up to the
2003 general elections. The militias were allegedly armed and used extensively
as political thugs. After the elections and having achieved their primary purpose,
the politicians left the militias to their fate since they could not continue
funding and keeping them employed. With no visible means of sustenance, some of
the militias gravitated towards religious extremism, the type offered by
Mohammed Yusuf.
“It recommended that the Federal
Government should direct the security agencies to beam their search light on
some politicians who sponsored, funded and used the militia groups that later
metamorphosed into Boko Haram and bring them to justice.
“Government accepts this recommendation
and directs the national Security Adviser to co-ordinate the investigation of
the kingpins and sponsors to unravel the individuals and groups that are
involved.”
“It was reported that members of
the sect have transformed themselves into dreaded criminal groups recently and
were now known by various pious sounding Islamic names.
“The groups, which had hitherto
employed the use of crude and locally made arms with few automatic weapons, are
now linked to highly sophisticated weaponry and explosives imported or smuggled
into the country.
“Equally, their modus operandi had
drastically changed from mere confrontation with security agents to modern day
terrorism with a high precision rate.
“Politicians in the country have
employed the services of thugs and other groups and associations with large
youth membership to intimidate their political opponents during electioneering
activities.
“The roots of terrorism, especially in
Borno, Gombe, Yobe and Bauchi states could be traced to groups or associations,
such as ECOMOG, Yan Kalare and Sura Suka which have links to prominent
politicians in these states.
“However, similar to the militant
groups in the Niger Delta area, the groups usually grow out of control and
become a threat to the politicians that supported and financed them.
“States where sect members thrive
should exercise the necessary political will to deal with this problem,
notwithstanding the perceived implications to their sponsors.
“Government accepts this recommendation
and directs the security agencies to work with the state governments to deal
with this matter.”
On the rise of the Boko Haram menace,
the panel attributed it to the killing of Boko Haram leader, Mohammed Yusuf,
and many members of the sect in 2009.
The White Paper added: “The immediate
cause of the escalation of the sect’s violent activities is the extra-judicial
killing of the sect’s leader and his followers in 2009 and the failure of
Police authorities to bring the culprits to justice. The killing of Mohammed
Yusuf, which was captured and circulated by video clips, was described as
horrific, barbaric and unprofessional.
“Although late President Umaru Musa
Yar’ Adua later ordered an inquiry into Police handling of the case, no
Government White Paper was issued on the outcome of the enquiry. The Boko Haram
sect members believed that their leader and members were unjustifiably
killed.
“It recommended that the trial of the
Police personnel responsible for the extra-judicial murder of Mohammed Yusuf
and some of his followers should be expedited and publicised.
“Government notes that the late
President Yar’Adua did not order any enquiry into this matter, rather he
directed the Police to investigate the matter and the result of that
investigation had led to the on-going trial of the suspects.”
The panel also demanded the review of
Explosives Act of 1964 to prevent easy access to deadly substances by terror
groups.
It said: “The report expressed concerns
over the easy availability of explosive materials through illegal dealers
conniving with staff of registered explosives companies.
“The committee observed that there is
uncontrolled proliferation and circulation of illicit firearms, ammunition and
explosives in the country. More worrisome is the availability of local
expertise in the assemblage of explosive materials.
“The country is presently awash with
illicit arms procured from crisis-torn contiguous countries, which usually find
their way into the country due to porous and poorly manned borders arising from
the under-funding of the para-military agencies. Some of the firearms were also
believed to be sourced illegally from unpatriotic members of the security
forces while some explosives were sourced from the magazines of quarry
companies.
“The Explosives Act of 1964 should be
reviewed in order to tighten the procedures for licensing as well as monitoring
of companies dealing in explosives.
“Government notes this recommendation
and notes the further steps already taken to control the manufacture,
importation, transportation and storage of explosive and accessories used for
producing Improvised Explosive Devices(IEDs).”
The Galtimari panel confirmed the
involvement of aliens in terrorism and recommended mass deportation of those
suspected to be identifying with terror groups.
It explained how Boko Haram members
were trained and the routes through which they bring arms and ammunition into
the country.
It said: “The committee reported that
leaders of the sect visited the Sahara Desert where their members were trained
and provided assorted equipment.
In addition, there were reports of
transportation routes from Chad to Nigeria through Gamboru/Ngala border where
trucks destined for Nigeria were loaded with goods and weapons possibly meant
for terrorists and other criminals.
“Some other identified routes include Tetewa
from Cameroon through Bosso and Tudun Mota into Saga.
“Also in Chad , it was found that the
Banki border was a notable hub of smugglers. Others were Duji and Gashigar in
Mobbar LGA, New Marte and Mafa, all of which link up in Maiduguri .
“The report observed that there is
massive influx of illegal aliens from neighbouring countries into Nigeria and
beyond. Past enquiries on religious crises in the country have pointed out the
involvement of illegal aliens in prosecuting sectarian crises. Most of them are
unskilled and have no visible handwork which makes it easy for them to be
mobilized for violent activities.
“It was recommended that the Nigeria
Immigration Service should reinforce security in the border areas to ensure
that illegal aliens suspected of contributing to the prevailing insecurity in
the zone are quietly eased out of the country.
“Notwithstanding, the provisions of the
ECOWAS Protocol on Free Movement of Goods and Persons as well as any cultural
affinities existing between Nigeria border communities and their kith and
kin in contiguous countries.
“Secondly, it was recommended that
foreigners identified to have been staying illegally or have possible links
with criminals or extremists should be profiled and repatriated to their
countries.
“If the insecurity arising from the
activities of illegal aliens persists, government is advised to consider
temporary closure of Nigeria ’s Northeast border and organising a summit with
the affected countries to find a way out of the situation.”
Notwithstanding, the panel implored the
government to engage in dialogue with Boko Haram leaders upon renunciation of
violence.
It said: “The Committee observed that
there have been no attempts by the Government and the security services to
understand the ideology and motives of the Boko Haram sect by engaging sect
members in dialogue.
“The Committee recommended the urgent
need to constructively engage and dialogue with the leadership of the sect as
an essential strategy in bringing them on board. However, it advised that
government should negotiate from a position of strength by allowing the
security forces dominate the environment.
“In addition, dialogue with the sect
should be contingent upon their renunciation of violence and surrender of
arms.
“Government accepts this recommendation
and encourages the intermediaries who have access to them to initiate this
dialogue.”
The White Paper also X-rayed the
operation of the Joint Task Force in Borno State.
It added: “The Joint Task Force (JTF)
currently deployed to Maiduguri , Borno State , was in response to the
breakdown of law and order in the city.
“The JTF had somewhat succeeded in
bringing the situation under control. Schools and markets that had closed at
the height of the crisis have started re-opening.
“Many of the sect’s kingpins have
relocated to neighbouring countries due to sustained pressure exerted on them
by the ongoing security operation.
“However, there were allegations of
high –handedness against the JTF, bordering on rape, destruction of property
belonging to sect members, extrajudicial killing and harassment and
intimidation of Maiduguri residents.
“The Report recommended that a judicial
Commission of Enquiry should be set up to look into the alleged atrocities
committed by some members of the JTF while the Rules of Engagement (RoE) should
be reviewed to reflect the low intensity nature of the military operations not
only in Maiduguri, but in all similar operations.
“The Report further recommended that
the JTF should Endeavour to win the hearts and minds of the people but that in
the present poisoned atmosphere, this would be difficult, if not impossible to
achieve, since relative peace had to be attained before the JTF personnel could
feel free to mix with the people in the State.
“The Report recommended the replacement
of the present troops with new ones from other unties, preferably with those
who are familiar with the terrain and the peoples’ socio-political and cultural
values.
“The security agencies were also urged
to commence immediate de-radicalization of the sect members who are found to be
willing to renounce violence and embrace the Federal Government’s olive
branch.
“Government notes recommendations and
the steps being taken by the DHQ to investigate the allegation and deal with it
appropriately.
The White Paper committee asked the
government to act swiftly on its recommendations.
The committee said: “The White Paper
Committee wishes to underscore the Presidential Committee’s recommendation for
a prompt implementation of the Report.
“The timely implementation will,
inevitably, serve as a lasting solution to the security challenges thrown up by
the activities of the Boko Haram sect.
“It is therefore recommended that the
Federal Government should circulate the report to all levels of
authority, the security agencies as well as sensitize the generality of
Nigerians to the necessity of supporting the security forces in safeguarding
the nation’s security.”