Anti-insurgency war: No hidden agenda –FG

The Federal Government said yesterday that there was no hidden agenda in the on-going war against Boko Haram insurgency. There were insinuations at the weekend that the government was deliberately prolonging the anti-terrorist battle with 2015 general elections in mind. Last Friday during the Jumat prayers at Kano Central Mosque, insurgents killed 120 worshippers, scores were injured.

Vice President Namadi Sambo, who led the Federal Government’s delegation on a condolence visit to Kano, spoke at the Government House, stressed: “I must use this opportunity to call on those that have been spreading this mischievous statement all over that the government is involved. I want to say categorically that the government is not a party to this. This government is doing everything possible to stop these acts of terrorism. ”
The Vice President said with the number of Muslims who are in the nation’s security,” there is no way they would be party to anything that would undermine the security against their own Muslim brothers”.
He condemned Friday’s terror attack, saying it was another shock for government. He prayed for the repose of the souls of the deceased while seeking the quick recovery of the injured victims.
Sambo said the government has since directed that all necessary support be given to the victims, noting that already, Kaduna and Katsina states have been directed to donate blood to the victims.
The delegation, which include the Inspector-General of Police, Abba Suleiman, and Foreign Affairs Minister, Amb. Aminu Wali, visited the Murtala Muhammed Specialist Hospital, Kano Central Mosque, Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso and Emir Sanusi Lamido Sanusi.
The Vice President urged all Nigerians to be vigilant, security-conscious and be their brothers’ keepers. He implored the residents to co-operate with the security agencies so as to end insurgency. He assured that the Federal Government will liaise with the people of Kano and other states to end terrorism.
In his remarks, Emir Sanusi charged the Federal Government to investigate and bring the perpetrators to book.
At the Kano Government House, Kwankwaso reaffirmed the willingness of the state government to co-operate with the Federal Government in the on- going war against insurgency.