Boko Haram: Politicians kidnapping women, children in the name of insurgents group alleges

Politicians have been accused of masterminding the abduction of women and children in some part of the country under the guise of Boko Haram.

The Coalition Against Terrorism and Extremism (CATE) in Nigeria, which made this claim, observed that these attacks have changed from what was the norm to now exclusively target military formations, ambush troops and sack towns and villages along the path of the terrorists.

Jonathan Audu, Secretary General of the group, while addressing the media on Wednesday, alleged that there was an established pattern of the attacks taking place once the opposition is running out of steam and issues to tackle the government on.

“Analyses show that the thugs reporting to some politicians are the ones that have diverted to the killing and kidnapping of innocent women and children and make it appear like the handiwork of Boko Haram.

“They also said to have opted for this approach because it hopes to use the fear of violence to keep people away from the polling units so that they do not get to vote because of the fear of violence.

“According to the intelligence we have received, some will spread this campaign of terror further south as the elections draw closer. The objective is to make every inch of the country feel unsafe or Nigerians so that they can be deceived into thinking that the incumbent president has failed in securing their lives and property.

“CATE unequivocally condemns this irresponsible act whereby it is deploying its thugs to imitate Boko Haram attacks with a view to using it to criticise the government of the day. It is the most inhumane form of deception ever carried out by humans on earth especially when it involves abusing human lives and depriving people of their lives.

“We demand that they immediately retrace its steps and discontinue these attacks because they violate the rights of other citizens. The party must also hand over to law enforcement agencies those that conceived this idea, those that implemented it and those that are aware of the plot without doing anything to stop it. The moderate elements must give up those responsible for this evil so that they can distances themselves and the party from the bad eggs among them.

“Nigerians should insist that politicians come clean and explain to the nation how it allowed thugs to be recruited in its name to impersonate Boko Haram fighters. Where this party fails to comply, Nigerians should punish it as they deem fit because the safety of citizens is above the interest of one political party.

“The international community should note the extent the these people are willing to go to in its desperation to win elections. What they have done violated several international instruments and it should be held to account. When the relevant international agencies are dealing with this issue, it is then up to politicians to give up those that are directly responsible for what can best be described as copycat terrorism.”