The United States Congress will next week hold a public hearing on the militant Islamic sect, Boko Haram.
The leader of American Congress Committee on African Affairs, Mr. Chris Smith, said this in Abuja on Tuesday during a meeting with the President of the Christian Association of Nigeria, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor.
He said the public hearing would guide the United States Government on the next line of action regarding the Boko Haram insurgency in Northern Nigeria.
During the US congressman’s visit, some victims of Boko Haram violence in Borno State explained their ordeals to journalists.
They said that more than 300 Christians had fled Maiduguri for Borno State.
Smith said, ”Boko Haram is an organ that has absolutely misread the Koran. Killing the refugees is something of concern to the American government. Next week, we will hold a public hearing on Boko Haram and terrorism.”
He called the Nigeria’s National Assembly to replicate what the United States did after the September 11, 2002 attack which claimed thousands of lives.
Smith said, “The example of the United States Government when people died during the 9/11 is worth emulating. During the period, I got to know many of the widows. The US Congress passed the Victim Compensation Fund that was designed to help be a bridge.
“It is an idea to consider here by the Senate and the House of Representatives with a resolution that will bring about a fund to compensate victims. We have written to the government.”
In his response, Oritsejafor said CAN had appealed to the government to look into the plight of the victims of Boko Haram.
He said, “What we are thinking of now is how to get the victims to live on daily basis, in terms of feeding, clothing and shelter. We are hoping that the government will look more into the issue of victims, mostly, the ones that their parents have been killed and made homeless.”
