President Goodluck Jonathan has advised states to stop the registration
of non-indigenes and “deportation” of others.
Dr. Jonathan has also summoned an emergency meeting of the Council of
State – the country’s highest advisory body – for next week on the matters.
A meeting of the National Security Council ratified yesterday the
decision to halt the registration of Nigerians within the country.
Some states initiated the non-indigenes registration to enable them
check Boko Haram, the Islamist insurgent sect.
But, briefing reporters at the State House yesterday after the NSC
meeting, State Security Service (SSS) Director-General Ita Ekpeyong said
such deportation or registration is more dangerous than the activities of the
Boko Haram.
He also said government knew where the abducted Chibok girls were.
Ekpeyong, who was accompanied by Inspector General of Police Mohammed
Abubakar, said Nigerians were free to settle anywhere they like.
He said: “The issue of deportation, registration of Nigerians in states
of the federation we regard as even more potent than Boko Haram.
“Council discussed in detail the issue of registration of Nigerians in
any part of the country, being subjected to registration, being subjected to
deportation, being taken away from one part of the country to the other.
“Council discussed the reaction by some groups in Kano State and other
parts of the country. Council observed that this threat was more potent than
Boko Haram and could disintegrate the country.
“And we take this very seriously, for people to deport people, for
people to take people from one place to the other, for registration of
indigenes no matter where they are. No matter where they are, they are free to
settle anywhere they like.
“Council resolved that the issue of registration of Nigerians anywhere
in the country and deportation should stop forthwith. To re-emphasise the
importance the President has attached to this, that is why he asked the IG and
I to address the press; this must stop forthwith.”
According to him, security operatives have been directed not to be
involved in such process to register people or trying to deport people.
He also warned youth groups to desist from causing trouble over the
matter as the government is taking serious notice of the issue.
“Government is doing everything possible to stem this from getting out
of control. As a matter of fact to show the urgency, the Council of State
meeting will be held anytime next week to discuss this issues,” he said.
On fight against terrorism, he said: “The fight against Boko Haram is
ongoing. We kept saying that the fight against Boko Haram is like the
footballer. You know when the Germans played Argentina, it was only that one
goal they scored that everyone is remembering, the other goals that were
stopped, nobody will remember.”
“There are several things government is doing; there are several attacks
government has stopped but nobody will remember those ones because we don’t
tell you but several things are going on.”
“On the Chibok girls, government is making efforts. We know where they
are, but we don’t want to endanger their lives; that is the truth. We want to
take it gradually and release them at the appropriate time. We know where they
are; you can go to bed with that.”
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