Following the federal government’s inability to protect lives and property of Nigerians, self-defense becomes the only option against Boko Haram, former vice president Atiku Abubakar has said.
Speaking to journalists in Yola, the Adamawa State capital, Mr. Abubakar faulted government’s handling of the insurgency problem in the North-East, wondering why it allowed the problem to linger despite the enormous resources at its disposal.
He, therefore, expressed support for the use of vigilante and other local groups in fighting Boko Haram.
It would be recalled that a group of vigilantes and local hunters had rounded and killed scores of Boko Haram fighters, who had seized Mubi town after a fierce encounter with Nigerian troops, regaining control of the town from the insurgents in the process.
“You know, sometimes self-defense is the only option. I mean, if somebody else cannot defend you, you have to defend yourself”, the former VP said.
The All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential 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”.
The Turakin Adamawa also expressed lack of confidence in the President Goodluck Jonathan-led administration to provide security for Nigerians, saying the government lacked focus and was just as 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”.
