Buratai: Terrorism may persist for another 20 years in Nigeria

• JNI laments criminals reign of terror

Terrorism might persist in Nigeria for another 20 years, the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai, has said.

This came just as Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI) led by the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, lamented the reign of terror by criminals and sympathised with the government and people of Borno State over the gruesome murder of 43 rice farmers in Zabarmari, Jere Local Local Government Area of the state last Saturday.

Buratai gave his view on his verified Facebook page some days after Boko Haram terrorists killed 43 rice farmers in Borno State.

“There is general misunderstanding of what insurgency and terrorism entail. There is likelihood of terrorism persisting in Nigeria for another 20 years,” he stated.

Buratai added, “It only depends on the level of escalation and the appropriate responses by all stakeholders both civil and military authorities; also by both local and international actors.

“Citizens responsibility is equally important and imperative. All must cooperate to contain the lingering insecurity. Let there be collective action and responsibility.”

The JNI on Wednesday lamented the Saturday massacre in Borno in a statement, saying Nigerians were now at the mercy of criminals with nowhere safe.

It described Saturday’s killing of rice farmers as “a senseless act”.

According to the group, bandits now control many northern communities and set rules that must be obeyed.

The group urged the Federal Government to stop paying lip service to security matters.

It asked Imams across the country to embark on special prayer against insecurity five times a day.

A statement by the JNI’s Secretary-General, Dr Khalid Abubakar Aliyu, quoted the Sultan as saying, “Wanton killings, acts of banditry, kidnapping for ransom, high rate of unemployment among the youths, rape and all forms of terrorisms have now become the ‘new trend’ in our communities.

“Nigerians have become so much terrified, as nowhere is safe; the home, the farms and the roads. Bandits now rule in many communities, they set rules that must be obeyed.

“Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI) under the leadership of Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, the Sultan of Sokoto and the President-General, identifies with the government and people of Borno State over the gruesome massacre of innocent rice farmers in Zabarmari, Jere Local Government, which was the height of bloodletting ever committed in recent history.

 “Forty-three human beings as reported by the media were slaughtered without any intervention by the security forces in the area. The senseless act stands condemned in the strongest of terms.”

According to the JNI, it is unfortunate that the common man is now caught in-between two contending phenomenon: when he goes to the farm, he gets killed and when he stays at home he dies of hunger.

It stated, “It should be known that this singular act of Zabarmari was a calculated attempt to instill fear among farmers and jeopardise the frantic efforts of returning Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) to their localities by the Borno State government under the leadership of Governor Babagana Umar Zulum.

“For how long would we continue to live a life in fear? For how long can we continue to wait in vain? For how long shall we continue to condemn acts of terrorism without any concerted efforts in ending it?

“For how long would we continue to remain indolent? And for how long can we continue to remain hopeless in a precarious situation such as what we are in presently?

“Our heartrending condolences to the families of those martyred in the Zabarmari massacre, the people and government of Borno State and Nigeria in general.

“Moreover, all that was needed immediately the incidence occurred was a proactive measure by the Federal Government, such as a prompt visit within 24 hours to the affected areas.

“This will assuage the affected communities to have more confidence in their leaders, seeing that they are not left alone in their ordeal and it will also send a strong signal to insurgents that the government is ready to go to any length to protect its people.”

The group commended the “tireless efforts” of Governor Zulum, praying Allah “to continue to guide and protect him, being a true servant-leader”.