Atiku Advocates Self Defence

Since the federal government has failed to protect
lives and property, self defence becomes the only
option against Boko Haram, former vice president
Atiku Abubakar has said.
Speaking to journalists in Yola, Atiku critici-sed
government’s handling of the insurgency problem
in the North-east, wondering why it allowed the
insurgency to linger despite resour-ces at its
disposal.
He, therefore, expressed support for the use of
vigilante and other local groups in fighting Boko
Haram.
“You know, sometimes self defence is the only
option. I mean if somebody else cannot defend you,
you have to defend yourself.”
The All Progressives Congress (APC) presi-dential
aspirant maintained that the insurgency has
lingered due to lack of commitment on the part of
relevant authorities, adding: “I must confess that I
am extremely frustrated with the federal
government because this insurgency has lasted for
more than five years. Nigeria has all it takes to
have eradicated it in a couple of weeks, but we
allowed it to fester.”
He expressed lack of confidence in the Presi-dent
Goodluck Jonathan’s administration to provide
security for Nigerians, saying the government
lacked focus and just as it is insensitive to the
plight of the citizenry. He added: I don’t believe
there is real capacity on the part of the political
leadership to address the problem. Maybe their
attention is somewhere else.”
He lamented the huge number of people displaced
from their homes due to the crisis.

Daily Trust
17 November 2014