Arrest Boko Haram sponsors, Borno attorney general urges FG

Borno State Attorney-General and Commissioner of Justice, Barrister Kaka Lawan, at the weekend urged the federal government and law enforcement agents to ensure the arrest and prosecution of all those responsible for the Boko Haram crisis, saying that will bring an end to the crisis.

The commissioner said the federal government must be seen to be serious by arresting “people who have questions to answer but are moving about freely in the country”.

He also called for probe of all extra judicial killings in Borno State since the commencement of the crisis.

Speaking at the inauguration of Barrister Abdulwasiu Alfa led executive of the Maiduguri branch of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Lawan condemned what he called, “mindless, inhuman and barbaric acts of criminality” being unleashed by insurgents.

Mr. S.M Malgwi, ministerial secretary of the Borno State Ministry of Justice, read the speech of the commissioner, in which he called for sincere approach to the problem.

“This hydra-headed monster called insurgency did not just spring up over night. Some unscrupulous elements among us gave birth to it and nurtured it and it is now consuming everybody. I therefore call upon the federal government, the Nigerian Bar Association, Civil Society Organizations and all other appropriate authorities and relevant stakeholders to ensure that those who ignited the 2009 crisis that laid the foundation for the insurgency are prosecuted and brought to book. In the same vein, all cases of extra-judicial killings and abuse of human rights should be investigated and the perpetrators prosecuted. This is the only way public confidence and cooperation can be restored and earned. As lawyers say, ‘He who comes to equity must come with clean hands,’” the commissioner said.

He condemned the abduction of students and called on the federal government to ensure their release.

“In as much as we appreciate the efforts geared towards curbing the insurgency, we call upon the federal government to deploy more troops and modern equipment to the state and other affected areas to match the strength and ultimately overcome the insurgents,” he said.

In his speech, the new NBA chairman said there is nothing to justify the trillions of naira being budgeted for security.

“I am of the humble but firm view that the declaration of state of emergency in Borno State has achieved little or nothing,” he said.