Feeling devastates from the Boko Haram scourge over the years, Borno elders have accused beneficiaries of the controversial ‘arms deal’ of sponsoring the insurgents and have called on the Federal Government to ensure they are brought to book.
The declaration was contained in a statement by the Chairman of Borno Elders Forum, Ambassador Usman Gaji Galtimari, yesterday titled: ‘Beneficiaries of ‘arms deal’ are sponsors of Boko Haram’ at the end of the elders’ meeting where the forum resolved to throw its support behind the federal government on the fight against Boko Haram insurgency and corruption.
“The people who deliberately turned away from their official responsibilities on security issues, or those who looted the funds meant for the prosecution of the war against Boko Haram and those who spoke or continue to speak in their favour are all one and the same. “They all individually and collectively aided and sponsored the Boko Haram insurgency.
“They colluded to ensure the death of our brave soldiers, our innocent people and the near total destruction of our society. Nigerians should stand by us and collectively assist to bring those responsible to book. It does not speak well of any Nigerian, for whatever reason, to fight or criticise the President of Nigeria or call our anti–corruption agencies names when they simply want to make offenders pay for the crimes most of them have confessed to have committed.
“Those who collected such huge sums of money from the national treasury and converted same for their unending greed and avarice, should be regarded as part and parcel of the sponsors of Boko Haram. Get them and you will get the rest. “We feel hurt and betrayed that some Nigerians are politicising this despicable issue of ‘arms deal.”
The forum lamented the wanton destruction of lives and property by Boko Haram and urged the federal government to take proper statistics of all those who perished and property destroyed with a view to ensuring adequate compensation .
“Nigerians should allow the federal government and its relevant agencies to bring to book all those found to be involved in any act of omission or commission…”
We cry for justice,” the statement concluded.
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