Treat militants, herdsmen as Boko Haram, Junaid Muhammed urges FG

Second Republic member of the House of Representatives, Junaid Mohammed on Sunday urged President Muhammadu Buhari to bring to bear the full weight of federal might on all those who threaten Nigeria’s corporate existence.

He made the call in a telephone interview with our Correspondent in Abuja.

The Russian trained medical doctor turned politician said the President owes Nigerians a duty to secure their lives and property from the activities of criminals “whether Niger Delta militants, Boko Haram terrorists of marauding herdsmen.”

According to him, threats by these and other groups must not be treated with levity because Nigerian lives are at stake and if such threats are treated with kid gloves, it is a recipe for disaster.

Mohammed advised President Buhari not to allow himself to be blackmailed by the Niger Delta Avengers or any group for that matter because two of his predecessors: President Umaru Yar’Adua and Goodluck Jonathan were arm twisted into conceding to the whims of selfish individuals.

He noted that the two former Presidents were made to make cash payments to individuals who took up arms against their fatherland as against taking decisive action to develop the Niger Delta region and reduce poverty among the teeming law abiding citizens of the area.

Mohammed said, “I think the issue of the Niger Delta is a very straight forward issue. Any group that attempts to put a gun to the head of the rest of us by terrorists telling the government and the rest of the country that you either do as we wish else we will deal with you.

“They have to be confronted and they have to be confronted frontally, robustly and with everything available to the federal might otherwise it will pose a greater threat to this country than Boko Haram.

“I must say, the President hasn’t mentioned the Fulani herdsmen problem. I hope he has not given room for people to now come and distract him out of sheer mischief. I sincerely hope that this issue whether it is what it is or a reincarnation of the Boko Haram menace and all forms of terrorism should be timely addressed to give all Nigerians a sense of security and belonging.”

In his assessment of the President’s one year-old administration, the ex-parliamentarian said President Buhari deserves commendation for providing the political will to fight corruption and his doggedness in dealing with the Boko Haram menace.

He however enjoined the President not to rest on his oars because Boko Haram elements may have been dispersed but they are no less a threat considering their activities in Maiduguri and adjourning areas.