Mr. Mike Omeri, DG, NOA

• Says politicians are being interrogated over ties to sect

•Accuses #BringBackOurGirls campaigners of extorting money

By Adebiyi Adedapo
 
The federal government  Wednesday claimed that there was strong evidence linking the terror sect, Boko Haram, to a political party in Nigeria but failed to disclose which of the parties it was referring to.

Making this known, the Coordinator of the National Information Centre (NIC) and Director General of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), Mr. Mike Omeri, further disclosed that some politicians were being interrogated as a result of their ties to terrorist activities.
“After the last successful operations carried out by security forces to dislodge terrorists from their base in the Darazo Local Government Area-end of Balmo Forest in Bauchi State, the politicians are being interrogated following the recovery of some sensitive materials – registration cards and symbol of a prominent political party that was found in the possession of some of the suspects arrested,” Omeri said.

Omeri added that investigations were ongoing to unravel the identities of others who may be involved in the activities of Boko Haram.

He, however, warned politicians to desist from complicating the security situation of the country, warning that the federal government would not condone the involvement of politicians in security matters.

Also briefing the press, the spokesperson of the Directorate of State Security (DSS), Ms. Marilyn Ogar, accused leaders of the #BringBackOurGirls protesters of insincerity, alleging that the group was complimenting terrorism through their activities.

It added that the campaign had become a franchise used for extorting funds from moneybags.
Ogar said: “Security forces also know that they have bank accounts, they also know that they want to go to Asokoro extension with the foreign media to say that they are marching into Sambisa and Chibok.

“Furthermore, we also know that they have brought experts from outside to come and teach them how to beat security operations when they are demonstrating, we are waiting to see whether those things will work.”
Ogar explained that the protesters had divided themselves into groups and zones with specific functions.
“If it is not a franchise but an ordinary movement seeking or acting to put more pressure on government and security operatives to release this girls, there would be no need for the group to have a tag,” insisting that its members are being compelled to have tags and be properly registered.

She noted that a genuine movement would not require people to register so that they know who is a member or who is not and to pay monthly dues, describing the situation as ridiculous.

“If it is genuine, you don’t go to hire people to come and claim to be the parent of the child you did not give birth to, so it is a franchise. If they want to fight for our rights, let them genuinely fight for it.
“As for the security forces, we are working very hard to ensure these girls are brought back sound and safe,” she said.


Source: ThisDay