The Chairman of the newly inaugurated Committee on Victim Support Fund, Theophilus Danjuma, has asked the government to as a matter of urgency act fast and ensure that the Boko Haram is defeated.
Danjuma, a retired military general and former Defence Minister insisted that the war has taken too long and should be termed a ‘civil war’ and not an insurgency.
Danjuma who spoke on behalf of the committee members in response to President Goodluck Jonathan’s speech during their inauguration in Abuja on Wednesday, said the insurgents seem to have an upper hand as they pick and choose where to strike and even hold positions that lead to the displacement of Nigerian forces.
“One thing we will not do is to go to Sambisa forest. The commander in chief will lead and we will follow the commander in chief,” he said, adding that “But seriously, this war must be brought to an end. We must win this war immediately; it is taking too long.
“I called it civil war when it began, people say it is insurgency. The insurgents appear to be having a upper hand at this very moment. They pick and choose where to strike they are even holding positions and displacing us. We must win this war Mr. President, we must do so immediately,” he said.
Danjuma pledged that his committee would raise the funds and disburse it appropriately and also promised to work diligently and transparently in line with the assignment.
Earlier, President Jonathan said the gathering was to kick-start the process of providing succour for people who have been directly affected one way or the other by acts of terrorism in the country.
“The Victim Support Fund Committee is part of our on-going efforts to provide a comprehensive solution to the menace. This Government is determined to resolve this crisis,” he said.
Jonathan said he was not happy inaugurating such a committee for Nigeria, stressing that “As a developing nation with lofty dreams, I would rather be here inaugurating a committee on development initiatives. But this is the unfortunate situation where we have found ourselves because of the lawless acts of a few misguided individuals who are shedding the blood of innocent people in our Nation.
“It is very necessary for us to refresh our memory before we proceed. Nigeria has not always been like this. In the past, it is true, we had communal and sectarian clashes. There is no human society that has been insulated from conflicts. But as a people created by God, we have managed to live within the realities of our challenges and have worked hard to strengthen the bond of our togetherness,” he added.
“The reality today is that we are confronted with individuals whose minds have been so twisted and tutored to believe they are doing God a service. Let me reiterate clearly that evil will never prevail over good.
“For those who take pleasure in seeing innocent human beings in pains, to see limbs being shattered and blood flowing in all direction after terror attacks, we say, you shall have no hiding place,” the president said, adding that “Nigerians will expose you. The people of conscience around the world have rejected you.”
The President urged all Nigerians to pause and spare a thought for the victims; and support them. “This is not a task for the rich alone. Every widow’s mite will count, and will be appreciated. I urge Nigerians to donate generously even through your GSM phones,” he added.
The National Security Adviser, Sambo Dasuki, assured that the war would be won and that the administration was ready to take some hard decisions.
Dasuki said there were very hard choices to be made and very soon too; to prevent the Boko Haram from claiming more territories.
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