Boko Haram Menace Beyond Jonathan’s Govt –Soyinka

Employees of Enugu Electricity Distribution Company checking for their names last Wednesday as it laid off some workers after six-month contract following the company’s privatisation. Photo: NAN

Nobel Laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka has said that the Boko Haram insurgency ravaging the North East of the country is beyond the capacity of the Federal Government to handle and should be treated as a matter of international urgency and concern.
Soyinka, who was speaking in a CNN live interview programme, yesterday said it was difficult to track down the insurgents who are now specialists in kidnappings, suicide bombings, and abductions in the name of terrorism.
To arrest the drift towards anarchy in the country, Soyinka said that the insurgents should not be treated with kid gloves but be confronted headlong.
He said the direction of the activities of the insurgents was unpredictable as they were obstinate and implacable in their blood thirsty campaign, and should be treated as outright enemies of the Nigeria State.
The nobel laureate called for the collaboration of all Nigerians and the support of the International Community to tackle terrorism in the country.
Soyinka, who condemned the continuous detention of abducted Chibock  school girls in Borno State, traced the genesis of the activities of the insurgents, to their attack on parts of the North following a report on a beauty contest holding in the country, without a punitive government response.
He expressed deep concern over the state of insecurity in the country, and emphasized the need for a strategic approach to defeat the insurgents, and secure the lives of Nigerians.

Taneh Beemene