Insurgency: Group Describes B/Haram Video As Propaganda

Posted by African Examiner Featured, Latest Headlines, News Tuesday, August 16th, 2016

By Niyi Adeyi

LAGOS, NIGERIA (AFRICAN EXAMINER) – The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has dismissed the latest video released Sunday by Boko Haram and its claim on the killing of some abducted Chibok girls during the military offensives as sheer propaganda and a calculated attempt to whip up anti-air campaign sentiments.

The group in a statement issued by its acting Director, Abdul Razaq Uthman alleged that the video was a clear proof that the military offensive was biting hard and hitting the insurgents where it hurts most.

“Boko Haram is known to have filmed its own dastardly operations. The victims shown in the video may have been victims of its several massacres of innocent civilians. The new video is nothing more than a fabrication. It is used as a ruse to escape the current pressure. It is also obvious that the girl in the video spoke under duress.

“The new video is a ploy to discredit the Nigerian military. It is also calculated to incite Nigerians, particularly parents of the Chibok girls, their immediate neighbours, the #BringBackOurGirlsGroup and the world at large against the Federal Government (FG). This may result in protests against bombings erupting in Abuja, Lagos and other key cities. The international community may also lash out at the FG over the method adopted to wage the war against the insurgents” the group added.

MURIC therefore cautioned the Nigerian public and the world community not to fall into the trap of Boko Haram strategists, saying it was shedding crocodile tears as well as asked: “When did Boko Haram hoodlums become interested in the welfare of the abducted Chibok girls?”

“Nobody should blame the Nigerian military for bombing the insurgents. Air superiority has always been used to gain advantage over the enemy, expedite military campaigns and minimize casualty particularly in terra incognito like the wide forests of Sambisa. There has also been increasing evidence that the Nigerian Army under its current leadership has been more professional and more committed to the military campaign in the North East. It has manifested all the qualities of a liberating army.

“Neither should we blame the present administration for the plight of the Chibok girls. While we admit that government is a continuum and any new administration must not only inherit the assets of the past government, it must also inherit its challenges and responsibilities, it will be grossly unfair to overlook the criminal negligence of the Jonathan administration” MURIC cautioned.

It however advised the military to leave Ahmad Salkida (the journalist) alone, declaring that scapegoatism was the last thing expected of the Nigerian Army in “this dicey situation”.

“The alert sent out on the journalist is suggestive of desperation. The security agencies should collaborate, exchange information via regular situation report sessions and use the intelligence gathered so far to trace the girls.

“Whoever assumes that Ahmad Salkida knows the exact location of the girls is being naïve. Do you think the insurgents will be stupid enough to meet him anywhere near the girls’ hideout? Do you expect them to repose 100% trust in him? Have you ever heard of kidnappers meeting negotiators near their victim?

“The army must think of something else. Ahmad Salkida is not the problem. It will be unprofessional to scare the insurgents from approaching this journalist in future. We must also think of his personal safety as well as that of members of his family” the group restated.

On negotiation with insurgents for freedom for the girls, MURIC said exchange might also become necessary as offered in the video, still cautioned that the country was not shortchanged in the process, warning that the girls’ parents have suffered enough.

MURIC restated that the new video was a mere ruse designed to save the insurgents from total annihilation.