By Our Correspondent <\/p>\n
Joshua K B Disabilities Rights And Support Initiatives calls for a thorough investigation of those fingered in the sponsorship of terrorism, banditry and other violent crimes in the country, which has led to the loss of thousands of lives of citizens, and the destruction of countless number of means of livelihoods of Nigerians and other nationals.<\/p>\n
The Disabilities Rights non-governmental organization, in a statement on Tuesday, says it became necessary to make the call following the over 10,000 persons who have been disabled physically, emotionally, economically and in other areas by the dastardly activities of this group of persons whose stock in trade is propagating evil.<\/p>\n
Referencing the revelations of retired Nigerian Army Major General, Danjuma Hamisu Ali-Keffi, who was Head of a covert Presidential Task Force on counter terrrism known as Operation Service Wide (OSW) under late President Muhammadu Buhari, Joshua K B Disabilities Rights And Support Initiatives, also warns of grave danger and seeming complicity in promoting a culture of impunity if the federal government sweeps the matter under the carpet.<\/p>\n
Executive Secretary of the non-political, non-governmental Rights Association, Joshua Kingsley Benneth points out the need for the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu led administration to demonstrate its capacity and willingness to protect the country and its sovereignty, and by extension, all Nigerians, by pursuing a thorough enquiry into the allegations.<\/p>\n
He believes that by doing so, the President would be sending a clear message not only to Nigerians some of whose lives have been shattered by the activities of these merchants f deaths, but also t the international community, especially to President Donald Trump and the US administration that it has the political will and moral courage to prosecute the renewed anti-terror campaign to the fullest.<\/p>\n
The Executive Secretary explains that as of June 2021 available records show that over 7,000 soldiers and officers of other security agencies were wounded in action against insurgents and bandits. <\/p>\n
According to him, a separate Nigerian Army report from November 2020 showed that over 700 soldiers had undergone amputations due to injuries sustained in the fight against Boko Haram.<\/p>\n
Mr Joshua Kingsley Benneth says, “considering that these reports were captured five and four years ago, with the crisis still raging and more deaths and injuries being recorded, it is unimaginable the number of those, military personnel and civilians alike, who have either been maimed for life, or have joined the widening pool of disabled Nigerians because of the greed and misguided philosophies of these persons.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is beside the large number of deaths recorded daily as non-state actors aided by their collaborators move from one part of Nigeria to another kidnapping for ransom, murdering for revenge or faith purposes, or eliminating the weak who are unable to withstand the rigours when they’re abducted.\u201d<\/p>\n
The NGO cautions the Tinubu led administration against complacency at this time of the renewed push against insurgency and other violent crimes as evidenced in his appointment of the former Chief of Army Staff, General Christopher Musa, as the Minister of Defence.<\/p>\n
While it commends the President`s courage and foresight in making the appointment, it urged the administration to be holistic in its bravery, warning that failure to rein in those truly culpable in this unpatriotic acts would only validate the fear in the mind of the people that some Nigerians are not only above the law, but Bigger than the presidency and the President himself.<\/p>\n
The Executive Secretary further reminds the President of the growing culture of citizens petitioning the United States and United Kingdom governments as a mark of loss of confidence in his administration`s capacity to confront domestic issues, especially issues of insecurity with the boldness required of a leader. <\/p>\n
The Press Statement maintains that these allegations may unravel further truths that could help the government to truly end this menace, restore the confidence of stakeholders- citizens and the international community alike – re-bounce the economy, better citizens lives, win the 2027 elections, and leave a legacy for oncoming administrations to build on.<\/p>\n
Accordingly, it tasks the government to take proactive steps in closing the increasingly growing disability population in the country, while providing needed support for existing PWDs.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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