The National Association of Seadogs (NAS) yesterday described the members of the Boko Haram Islamic sect and their faceless sponsors as ‘cowards.’
? The NAS made this declaration in a statement issued yesterday in Yenagoa by its leader, Oscar Egwuonwu.
He said: “We condemn these cowardly and dastardly acts perpetrated against innocent citizens of Nigeria and call on those responsible to desist in their ambition to turn Nigeria into a country dominated by tribal or religious strife as can be found in other countries.”
? “We make bold to state that they do not possess the sole monopoly to violence! Nigeria is a country of? diverse ethnic and religious persuasions; and the struggle for a single non-secular system of government forced through violence, intimidation and terror is one that can never be achieved. What has become clear to the National Association of Seadogs is that these incessant attacks have laid bare the inadequacy of our national security apparatus, or a resignation by the government of the day to its fate.”
? He decried the rising cases of bomb attacks on churches and Christian communities in the northern parts of the country and asked Nigerians to assist the security agencies to identify, apprehend and expose members of the sect because their dastardly acts were threatening the unity of the country.
According to the NAS, though the series of attacks launched by the dreaded Boko Haram sect has exposed the powerlessness of the nation’s security system, the sect should be warned that the continuation of such deadly attacks could have dire consequences.
“Government must live up to its responsibility of protecting its citizens as contained in the constitution and the oath of office taken by executives at both the state and federal levels,” he said. rather than join innocent bystanders in reactionary posture. The perpetrators of these? attacks have by their public pronouncements, thrown down the gauntlet, and the federal government must pick it up to demonstrate in finality, who is in charge. Nigeria must be spared the shame and embarrassment that these unanswered attacks are engendering in the international media.
“The perpetrators of these terror inspiring attacks live within our midst and for them to challenge the peace and cohesive existence of Nigerians with such brazen and arrogant impunity, equates to declaring war on all law abiding citizens and this is totally unacceptable to NAS.
We implore Nigerians with information that will lead to the arrest and prosecution of these criminals, to make same available to the various agencies charged with the core functions of security. The job of keeping Nigeria one, must remain the focus for all.”
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