Boko Haram: Jonathan Must Rethink Decision Not To Compensate Victims – APC

PRESIDENT GOODLUCK JONATHAN RECEIVES THE REPORT OF THE PRESIDENTIAL
COMMITTEE ON PEACEFUL RESOLUTION OF SECURITY CHALLENGES IN THE NORTH
FROM THE CHAIRMAN, ALH. TANIMU TURAKI IN ABUJA ON TUESDAY




The All Progressives Congress, APC, on Wednesday disagreed with
President Goodluck Jonathan's position that victims of the Boko Haram
killings will not be compensated by the Federal Government.
According to the opposition party, if the FG's decision was allowed to
stand, it would amount to double failure on the part of the Federal
Government and double jeopardy for the victims.
These views were contained in a statement by the Interim National
Chairman of the party, Chief Bisi Akande, in Abuja.
Akande argued that in the first instance, the killings and maiming
occurred because the Federal Government failed in its most important
task of ensuring the security of lives and property.
He added that the same government that failed to live up to the
primary reason for its existence, which he said was the security and
welfare of the citizenry, was now refusing to provide succour for the
victims of its own failure.
He said, "This constitutes double irresponsibility on the part of the
government, and double jeopardy for the thousands of victims who have
been killed and wounded by the insurgents.
"After the people were victimised by Boko Haram, they are now being
victimised by their government. This is unacceptable, and President
Jonathan must have a rethink.
"The APC believes that the issue of compensation for victims of Boko
Haram should not be subjected to any debate."
Akande stressed that all the victims of the Boko Haram insurgency must
be compensated without delay just as he added that they must be given
succour and made to feel that their government cares for them.
He said though compensation would not bring back the thousands, who
had been killed by Boko Haram, it would, however, provide succour for
the family members left behind by the victims.
He said, "Compensation cannot remove the scars on those who have lost
limbs or become blinded due to the effect of gunshots or bombs, but it
can help them to restart their lives and to know that they are not
alone in their ordeals.
"These people cut across religions, ethnicity and gender. They include
Christians and Muslims, Igbo, Hausa, Fulani, Yoruba and people of
other ethnic groups, as well as men and women, the old and the young."