As the Nigerian Army continued in its war against the incessant attacks of the Islamist sect, Boko Haram, in parts of the north, a top United States official has faulted the Federal Government’s lack of political will to end the carnage.
Head of the United States’ Commission on International Religious Freedom, Robert P. George, has said that the Nigerian government has the capacity to wage a successful war against Boko Haram, but that the government does not have the political will to do so.
George, whose organisation published a report last year on the activities of the Islamic insurgents, reiterated some of the recommendations in the report. He said the Boko Haram insurgency was a real and growing threat to the future of Nigeria, which the country must confront head-on.
He said the sect seeks to introduce ‘pure’ Shariah law in northern Nigeria and that the group is responsible for many deaths and destructions in religious and educational institutions and other public places in the country since the last two years.
“In an attempt to tackle the threat posed by the sect, the Federal Government has imposed emergency rule in three North-East states of Borno, Yobe, and Adamawa, which are the hotbeds of the group’s rebellion.
The emergency measures have recorded some successes even though the killings by Boko Haram have largely continued.
But George stated; “In our view, Nigeria’s government has the capacity to address the violence successfully. The problem appears to be one of will, not ability.
“Clearly, Nigeria’s establishment, including President Goodluck Jonathan and other leaders, needs to muster the political courage to protect the innocent and prosecute those who are guilty of unleashing violence against their fellow Nigerians.
“Simply stated, Nigeria’s failure since at least the turn of the century to protect Nigerians from religious- related assaults – or prevent or punish such violence – must be addressed.
“Every effort must be made to bring perpetrators of this violence, regardless of their faith or position in society, to justice. It is the only way the country will have any chance of a stable future.”
George, however, said military force alone would not overcome the insurgency, stressing that an effective law enforcement system and adherence to the rule of law are crucial in the attempt to beat the menace of the Islamic sect.
“But overcoming the Boko Haram challenge will take more than a military response – it also requires an approach that addresses Nigeria’s tolerance of long-running sectarian violence, protects religious freedom and enforces rule of law,” George stated.
