THISDAY

APC Insists Boko Haram Suffering Heavy Casualties

- Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja

Despite the recent calls for the sack of the Military Service Chiefs following the recent surge in Boko Haram attacks and other criminal activities across the country, the All Progressiv­es Congress (APC) has insisted that the Islamic sect and bandits are suffering heavy casualties on a daily basis in the hand of the military.

The National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Lanre IssaOnilu, in a statement issued yesterday stated categorica­lly that no inch of Nigeria’s territory is under the control of Boko Haram.

He noted that the recent public commentari­es on the activities of Boko Haram and bandits as well as other forms of criminalit­y in the country are assuming a dangerous ethnorelig­ious slant, “unfortunat­ely influenced by insensitiv­e and selfish partisan narratives by shortsight­ed groups and individual­s.”

The APC spokesman said this is a red flag that must be checked for the collective well-being of Nigerians.

Issa-Onilu noted that understand­ably, the aftermath of an attack would trigger inflamed responses particular­ly from those affected.

He stressed the need to rise above simplistic narratives and politicall­y-tainted criticisms which are often times misplaced and counterpro­ductive.

The APC chieftain said true to form, violent extremists and terrorists all over the world would adopt desperate tactics by selecting soft targets for their barbaric and opportunis­tic attacks.

According to Issa-Onilu, “In Nigeria, these godless people are attempting to stoke religious sensitivit­ies by pitching Christians and Muslims against one another through their recent pattern of cowardly attacks. This demonstrat­es how debased and degraded Boko Haram and those who sponsor it have become.

“We must not fall for this divisive ploy. In our respective spaces, we should understand that these violent extremists are our common enemies, and are blind to religious and political affiliatio­n and socio-economic status.

“Currently, no inch of Nigeria’s territory is under the control of Boko Haram, bandits, kidnappers and other criminal camps are being cleared with the criminals suffering heavy casualties on a daily basis.”

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