Borno Elders’ Forum (BEF) has stated that those who benefited from the “sharing” of money meant for arms purchase are behind Boko Haram.
Ambassador Usman Gaji Galtimari in a statement on Thursday, said since the outbreak of the Boko Haram uprising from 2009 to date, BEF had been voicing out at every critical stage of the crisis, proffering possible ways of addressing very critical security and social issues.
The statement titled ‘Boko Haram carnage and corruption, support for the federal government’, read: “Until the advent of the current government under President Muhammadu Buhari, we were ignored. We are somehow relieved that not only the present Government but the generality of our Nigerian compatriots are now showing great understanding and compassion on our sorry state of existence.
“We thank God for that. We are and will remain eternally grateful to President Buhari and the gallant, patriotic armed forces of Nigeria for the turn of events in our land.
“However, we feel disturbed and even betrayed by some Nigerians who seem to justify the carnage perpetrated upon our people. The massive killing of our people, the wholesome destruction of our settlements, the massive humanitarian crisis faced by over million internally displaced persons, the creation of hundreds of thousands of widows and orphans and so on, seem to be of no consequence to some Nigerians.
“The people who sponsored the activities of Boko Haram or those who deliberately turned away from their official responsibilities on security issues, or those who looted the funds meant for the prosecution of the war against Boko Haram, and those who spoke or continue to speak in their favour are all one and the same.
“They all individually and collectively aided and sponsored the Boko Haram insurgency. They colluded to ensure the death of our brave soldiers, our innocent people and the near total destruction of our society. Nigerians should stand by us and collectively assist to bring those responsible to book.
“It does not speak well of any Nigerian, for whatever reason, to fight or criticize the President of Nigeria or calling our anti–corruption agencies names when they simply want to make offenders pay for the crimes most of them have confessed to have committed.
“Much has been said about the sponsors of Boko Haram. With the horrifying revelations about the ‘Arms Deal’, it is no longer necessary to continue delaying the search for the real sponsors of Boko Haram.
“Those who collected such huge sums of money from the national treasury and converted same for their unending greed and avarice, should be regarded as part and parcel of the sponsors of Boko Haram. Get them and you will get the rest.
“We feel hurt and betrayed that some Nigerians are politicizing this despicable issue of ‘Arms Deal.’ People are rushing to our courts of law to manipulate the law, taking cover under the canopy of the constitution and misinterpreted human rights dicta to confuse the nation. Even the constitution itself has balanced interests of people against the interest of individuals.
“In this case, the interest of the victims should prevail when it comes to justice. Let those Nigerians know that thousands of Nigerians perished due to the misuse of funds meant for security not only the ‘Arms Deal’ case but several other instances before it. Playing politics with those issues is to condone the loss of lives and the destruction of our livelihood.
“Nigerians should allow the Federal Government and its relevant agencies to bring to book all those found to be involved in any act of omission or commission. Condoning blood money is to be equally bloody.
“While we urge government to urgently take statistics of all those who perished to enable the nation cater for the aftermath, we plead with fellow Nigerians to please allow the government go after the criminals and not confuse the polity. We are aggrieved and any further aggravation of our agony would be most inhuman.
“We equally plead with Mr. President, the National Assembly, the Judiciary and all anti-corruption/crime bursting agencies to dispense justice accordingly. We cry for justice.”
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