BRITAIN OFFERS TO HELP NIGERIA
Against
the backdrop of increased terrorist attacks in the country and fears
that the Boko Haram sect may have targeted the bombing of foreign
embassies operating in Nigeria, the British High Commissioner in
Nigeria, Mr. Andrew Lloyd, yesterday declared that Britain was willing
to provide intelligence and technological support in the nation’s fight
against terrorism.
Mr
Lloyd who disclosed this when he paid a visit to the Minister of
Defence, Bello Haliru Mohammed in his office said the very close
bilateral relations between Nigeria and Britain had made it imperative
that issues of terrorism which are condemnable acts are tackled headlong
together in the interest of the people of both nations.
He
said that though Britain has always provided support in the areas of
training for Nigeria’s military personnel, it has made it imperative for
new pages of cooperation to be opened in providing modern technological
devices and the advanced intelligence needed to tackle terrorism
cankerworm.
The
High Commissioner also disclosed that the Defence Industries
Corporation of Nigeria (DICON), which is presently operating below
capacity would be given British support and experience through the
exchange of expertise and other required support to succeed in its quest
to develop, manufacture and assemble arms and ammunition for the
nation.
Defence
Minister, Dr. Bello Mohammed in his response, requested Britain’s
support in Nigeria’s bid to become a permanent member of the UN security
council explaining that by virtue of Nigeria’s contribution to peace
keeping efforts worldwide, the country deserves to be at the security
council.
Commending
Britain for its support to the armed forces particularly as it regards
training and capacity building of personnel, the minister reminded the
High Commissioner that terrorism being a global phenomenon, required all
hands to be on deck to fight it hence he called for greater cooperation
between the two countries in this regard.
Dr.
Bello further requested Britain to improve its trade ties with Nigeria
and show example to other countries still dragging their feet toward
investing and benefitting from the immense socio-economic and mineral
opportunities that abound within the country.
Niger Delta militants volunteer to join forces with army
Meanwhile
following uncovered intelligence reports that the Islamic sect, Boko
Haram, had concluded plans to bomb some states in the Niger-Delta,
South-East and South-West geo-political zones, militants in the Niger
Delta, have volunteered to team up with the security agencies,
especially the armed forces to repel the rebellious group.
Spokesman
of the militants under the aegis of Niger Delta Liberation Force, NDLF,
“Captain” Mark Anthony, in an online statement, Tuesday, said the
Israeli forces contracted by the government cannot provide adequate
security and volunteered special security services for President
Goodluck Jonathan and members of his immediate family because of the
precarious security situation in the country.
The
militant group specifically warned Boko Haram members to steer clear of
Niger Delta in their own interest, saying, “If they ignore this
warning, the counter reaction will be disastrous”.
Part
of the statement reads thus: “We, on behalf of the good people of Niger
Delta and Nigerians do hereby offer to partner with the federal
security force, especially the army to give voluntary security services
to President Goodluck Jonathan and his immediate family over the
precarious security situation created by the Islamic sect, Boko Haram
with suicide bombing at strategic locations in Abuja and other cities in
the nation, thereby creating total insecurity”.
“This
call for partnership becomes expedient, especially with the porous
security network and backstabbing at high security quarters , which gave
the feeling that the life of the President and his immediate family
members is at risk.
“We
show concern for the fact that the Nigerian security apparatus have
been overtly cowed down by the activities of the Boko Haram. For us,
President Goodluck Jonathan is a product of our intensified Niger Delta
arms struggle and we will not claim not to know that the Boko Harram
mission is to destabilize President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration
or assassinate him, if they could have their way. God will not allow it
to happen as emergence of President Goodluck Jonathan was through divine
providence”, he added..
The
militant group stated that, “The Boko Haram agitation is not
anti-western education, but anti Niger Delta/Christianity and we will
not continue to fold our hands and allow these devils in human faces to
terrorize and kill innocent citizens at will”.
“We
are aware that the government had offered the security of the life of
President Goodluck Jonathan to Israeli police, but that is not enough as
NDLF tested soldiers are still very visible to give the President the
needed support/security as one of our own from any external force, if
the enabling environment is given to us.
“We
do not want anything to happen to the life of our President. This is
because President Goodluck Jonathan is an exchange of lives of countless
youths who died during the heat of Niger Delta agitation.
For
us, suicide bombing or throwing hand grenade at public places is ‘
woman fight’, that is why while we were in the creek, we always alert
soldiers of our intending targets and our locations. And we did not throw any
bomb at public places because such operations are devilish and satanic
and are not part of Niger Delta struggle.”
CULLED FROM VANGUARD NIGERIA.