Govt craves EU assistance to combat terrorism

abba_moroAS violence continues in the Northern part of the country, the Federal Government has reiterated its commitment to bringing an end to the menace of the Boko Haram sect, calling for assistance of the international community to check insecurity.

Essentially, the Minister of Interior, Abba Moro, yesterday urged the European Union (EU) delegate to Nigeria and Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Ambassador David Macrae to appreciate the crisis in the northern part of Nigeria as an isolated case, describing it as a new phenomenon in the country.

He made the call in Abuja while receiving in his office the EU and ECOWAS Head of delegation who was on a courtesy visit.

Meanwhile, former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Umar Ghali Na’Abba has blamed the high level of insecurity in the country on extreme poverty among the populace.

In a statement by Sunday Oriyan, the minister said the recent bombings in the country should be seen as an isolated case, not representing the culture of Nigerians. He assured the delegation of the Federal Government’s determination to use civilised means to containing all forms of violent crimes to create the conducive atmosphere for peace and security in the country.

Moro who described the relationship between the European Union and Nigeria as robust, called for assistance from the regional body to complement the efforts of the Federal Government in tackling activities of terrorists in Nigeria.

Macrae, accompanied by the Deputy Head of Delegation to Nigeria, Mr. Kazimuerz Romanski, said they were in the ministry to share information with the minister on EU strategy towards the Sahel on peace, security and development.

He assured of EU’s supports for what Nigeria is doing to ensure peace and security in the country, noting there can be no development in absence of peace.

Na’Abba noted that the problem of insecurity would persist if government at all levels fails to take concrete steps towards reducing that rate of poverty in the country.

Answering questions from journalists at the launch of the book, Separation of Powers and Democracy in Contemporary Nigeria written by Ehiogie West-Idahosa yesterday in Abuja, Na’Abba noted that some of the nation’s leaders have made the youths not to have any stake in the country.

He said this had resulted to agitations from the different ethnic militias like the Boko Haram in the North, militancy in the South-South and kidnapping in the South-East.

“There has been problem of insecurity in the country for a very long time, arising from extreme poverty. We have a high level of insecurity and it will persist unless concrete measures are taken. Profound measures are needed and we are not yet near taking such measures. If people have a stake in their country, they will not resort to violence,” he said.