APC Calls Boko Haram Cowards, Defends Gov. Shettima

 

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has strongly condemned the escalation of Boko Haram violence in the country's North-East, calling the insurgents cowards for targeting unarmed civilians, especially women and children, in their deadly attacks.

This has been contained in a statement issued by its Interim National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, in Abuja, on February 19, 2014, Wednesday.

The APC reminded the terrorists that they cannot win the ill-advised war they have levied against their fatherland.

The party also admitted that while the Nigerian military has undoubtedly recorded some successes in its battle against the terrorists, it is time for it to rev up its strategy for preventing the kind of mass killings which the insurgents have been perpetrating in recent times, especially in the remote areas.

The party urged the military to increase its intelligence gathering capability with a view to nipping in the bud the attacks on civilians and military targets, including barracks.

The statement also called on the presidency to stop attacks against the Governor of Borno State Kashim Shettima.

“Gov. Shettima is in the eye of the storm, so to say, and has wisely gone to Abuja to brief the presidency on the situation in his state after the last round of attacks. For the same presidency to unleash perhaps its most vicious and unrelenting attack dog against the same Governor amounts to bad judgement, which also undermines the fight against the insurgents.

“The presidency's attack on Gov. Shettima is also unfair and grossly insensitive to the plight of the people and government of Borno, who deserve nothing but our support and succour at this difficult time,” the statement said.

The number one opposition party Gov. Shettima for his unflinching support to the military in its ongoing battle against Boko Haram, as well as the efforts of his administration to alleviate the sufferings of the victims of the terrorist attacks, urging him to continue along that path until total victory has been achieved.