PANAPRESS
Panafrican News Agency
Nigeria: Jonathan's ''full-scale'' war against Boko Haram reported in Nigeria
Lagos, Nigeria (PANA) - The declaration of ''full-scale'' military offensive by Nigeria's President Goodluck Jonathan against the terror group Boko Haram made newspaper headlines in Nigeria this week.
The President made the declaration in a nationwide Democracy Day broadcast on Thursday.
"Jonathan orders total war against Boko Haram" was the headline of the PUNCH on Friday, reporting that President Jonathan has directed the armed forces to launch a full-scale military operation against Boko Haram and other violent organisations to put an end to their impunity in the country.
“I am determined to protect our democracy, our national unity and our political stability by waging a total war against terrorism,” he said.
According to the paper, it was not immediately known what such an offensive could entail, given that the North-East where most of the activities of terrorists take place has been under emergency rule and a full-scale military operation for a year now.
But the paper quoted a top Defence Headquarters official as saying the Special Forces and other security operatives involved in the prosecution of the anti-terrorism campaign would have a near unlimited space to operate.
“I assure you … that these thugs will be driven away. It will not happen overnight, but we will spare no effort to achieve this goal,” Jonathan said.
The President explained that the full-scale operation against the terrorists had become imperative because they had unleashed war on Nigeria.
But he still did not rule out “dialogue, reconciliation” with the insurgents if they renounce terrorism and embrace peace.
With a similar headline - "Jonathan declares total war on Boko Haram" - the SUN reported that the declaration was the thrust of his Democracy Day broadcast in Abuja marking Nigeria’s 15th year of uninterrupted party politics.
He said Boko Haram was no longer a local group that kicked against Western education, but was now an Al-Qaeda branch in West Africa.
He said for those who are misguided to believe violence can solve their problem, “our doors remain open to them for dialogue and reconciliation, if they renounce terrorism and embrace peace”.
The VANGUARD headlined its story "Full-scale war against terror on – JONATHAN", quoting the president as saying "I have authorised the security forces to use any means necessary under the law to ensure that this is done. I assure you that Nigeria will be safe again, and that these thugs will be driven away – it will not happen overnight, but we will spare no effort to achieve this goal.
“I have no doubt that, with the support of Nigerians, our neighbours and the international community, we will reinforce our defence, free our girls and rid Nigeria of terrorists.”
President Jonathan also blamed foreign elements who collaborate with citizens to unleash terror on the country, saying “It is a sad fact that as I address you today, all the gains of the past 15 years of democratic governance in our country are threatened by the presence of international terrorism on our shores.
''Our dear country, Nigeria, is facing a new challenge. A war has been unleashed on us. Extremist foreign elements, collaborating with some of our misguided citizens, are focused on an attempt to bring down our country and the democracy and freedom we cherish and celebrate today.
“The despicable abduction of school girls from Chibok in Borno State has brought to the awareness of the entire world, the heartless brutality of these terrorists, who want to instigate a descent into anarchy and balkanize our nation. In recent years, terrorist attacks have claimed the lives of several of our compatriots, many have been injured or maimed, whole villages and communities have been destroyed and the economy of some of our states is in jeopardy.”
The DAILY INDEPENDENT's headline was "Jonathan declares amnesty for Boko Haram", with the rider 'Says Nigeria’s unity not negotiable'.
According to the paper, President Jonathan has announced an amnesty offer to members of the Boko Haram Islamic sect as part of efforts to end the ravaging insurgency in the country.
The paper quoted Minister of Youth Development Boni Haruna as saying on Thursday at a special event tagged, ‘A day with young leaders of Nigeria’.
The Minister said a series of integration programmes have been lined up for members of the sect who would surrender their arms and embrace peace.
“Let me use this opportunity on behalf of the Federal Government to call on the members of the Boko Haram sect to embrace the government’s gesture and key to amnesty programme,” the Minister said.
In another angle to the story, the NATION on Saturday splashed the headline "I’m ready to intervene to bring back the girls, says Obasanjo", quoting former President Olusegun Obasanjo as offering to intervene in the abduction of the Chibok school girls.
According to the paper, Obasanjo said, however, that he cannot wade into the matter unless he gets the green light from President Jonathan.
“I cannot have a plan without the Presidency being involved,” Obasanjo said, debunking claims that he was “going on a one man mission”. He insisted that it would be “idiotic” for him to have done so.
On the allegation that the abduction of the girls was orchestrated to bring down the President Jonathan’s government, Obasanjo said: “If the Presidency is obsessed with one thing and one thing only and any other thing of concern to Nigeria is secondary, then the Presidency will take that position” which he said “will be unfortunate”.
Obasanjo said “Boko Haram (sect) has been in existence for years…they didn’t disturb my government because when I was in government I did not disturb their Sharia.”
Speaking on the statement by Chief of Defence Staff Air Marshal Alex Bardeh that where the abducted girls are being kept had been found, Obasanjo urged the military not to engage in public relations stunts with the issue.
”This is not an issue that you will play Public Relations propaganda with. It is a serious issue that is like a spear in the heart of the parents and whatever statement we make and action we take, if it will not really deal with the issue in a way that will bring those girls out safe and secure and make their families happy and will also give every Nigerian a sense of security, then such statements should not be made,” he said.
The media also reported low-key celebrations marking Democracy day.
Channels Television headline on the story was "Democracy Day: Nigerians Observe Low Key Celebrations".
The TV station said Democracy Day was observed on Thursday, May 29, across Nigeria but the day was celebrated in low key, as most citizens stayed back in their homes to observe the holiday.
On a positive note, the papers reported the presentation of made-in-Nigeria vehicles to Jonathan.
According to the GUARDIAN, with the headline "Stallion Group presents made-in-Nigeria vehicles to Jonathan", three brands of Nissan automobiles....Nissan Patrol SUV, Almera Sunny saloon car and Nissan NP 300 Pick-Up van, were Thursday presented to President Goodluck Jonathan as they were introduced into the market during an exhibition.
Sunil Vaswani, Chairman of the Stallion Group, who presented the three models to President Jonathan, said the made-in-Nigeria Nissan automobiles were showcased to commemorate the nation’s democracy celebration and to highlight the local manufacturers success story.
The PUNCH treated the same story under the headline "Jonathan receives locally-made vehicles" while the DAILY INDEPENDENT headlined its story on the vehicles as "FG directs patronage of Made-in-Nigeria Stallion vehicles".
-0- PANA VAO/SEG 31May2014
The President made the declaration in a nationwide Democracy Day broadcast on Thursday.
"Jonathan orders total war against Boko Haram" was the headline of the PUNCH on Friday, reporting that President Jonathan has directed the armed forces to launch a full-scale military operation against Boko Haram and other violent organisations to put an end to their impunity in the country.
“I am determined to protect our democracy, our national unity and our political stability by waging a total war against terrorism,” he said.
According to the paper, it was not immediately known what such an offensive could entail, given that the North-East where most of the activities of terrorists take place has been under emergency rule and a full-scale military operation for a year now.
But the paper quoted a top Defence Headquarters official as saying the Special Forces and other security operatives involved in the prosecution of the anti-terrorism campaign would have a near unlimited space to operate.
“I assure you … that these thugs will be driven away. It will not happen overnight, but we will spare no effort to achieve this goal,” Jonathan said.
The President explained that the full-scale operation against the terrorists had become imperative because they had unleashed war on Nigeria.
But he still did not rule out “dialogue, reconciliation” with the insurgents if they renounce terrorism and embrace peace.
With a similar headline - "Jonathan declares total war on Boko Haram" - the SUN reported that the declaration was the thrust of his Democracy Day broadcast in Abuja marking Nigeria’s 15th year of uninterrupted party politics.
He said Boko Haram was no longer a local group that kicked against Western education, but was now an Al-Qaeda branch in West Africa.
He said for those who are misguided to believe violence can solve their problem, “our doors remain open to them for dialogue and reconciliation, if they renounce terrorism and embrace peace”.
The VANGUARD headlined its story "Full-scale war against terror on – JONATHAN", quoting the president as saying "I have authorised the security forces to use any means necessary under the law to ensure that this is done. I assure you that Nigeria will be safe again, and that these thugs will be driven away – it will not happen overnight, but we will spare no effort to achieve this goal.
“I have no doubt that, with the support of Nigerians, our neighbours and the international community, we will reinforce our defence, free our girls and rid Nigeria of terrorists.”
President Jonathan also blamed foreign elements who collaborate with citizens to unleash terror on the country, saying “It is a sad fact that as I address you today, all the gains of the past 15 years of democratic governance in our country are threatened by the presence of international terrorism on our shores.
''Our dear country, Nigeria, is facing a new challenge. A war has been unleashed on us. Extremist foreign elements, collaborating with some of our misguided citizens, are focused on an attempt to bring down our country and the democracy and freedom we cherish and celebrate today.
“The despicable abduction of school girls from Chibok in Borno State has brought to the awareness of the entire world, the heartless brutality of these terrorists, who want to instigate a descent into anarchy and balkanize our nation. In recent years, terrorist attacks have claimed the lives of several of our compatriots, many have been injured or maimed, whole villages and communities have been destroyed and the economy of some of our states is in jeopardy.”
The DAILY INDEPENDENT's headline was "Jonathan declares amnesty for Boko Haram", with the rider 'Says Nigeria’s unity not negotiable'.
According to the paper, President Jonathan has announced an amnesty offer to members of the Boko Haram Islamic sect as part of efforts to end the ravaging insurgency in the country.
The paper quoted Minister of Youth Development Boni Haruna as saying on Thursday at a special event tagged, ‘A day with young leaders of Nigeria’.
The Minister said a series of integration programmes have been lined up for members of the sect who would surrender their arms and embrace peace.
“Let me use this opportunity on behalf of the Federal Government to call on the members of the Boko Haram sect to embrace the government’s gesture and key to amnesty programme,” the Minister said.
In another angle to the story, the NATION on Saturday splashed the headline "I’m ready to intervene to bring back the girls, says Obasanjo", quoting former President Olusegun Obasanjo as offering to intervene in the abduction of the Chibok school girls.
According to the paper, Obasanjo said, however, that he cannot wade into the matter unless he gets the green light from President Jonathan.
“I cannot have a plan without the Presidency being involved,” Obasanjo said, debunking claims that he was “going on a one man mission”. He insisted that it would be “idiotic” for him to have done so.
On the allegation that the abduction of the girls was orchestrated to bring down the President Jonathan’s government, Obasanjo said: “If the Presidency is obsessed with one thing and one thing only and any other thing of concern to Nigeria is secondary, then the Presidency will take that position” which he said “will be unfortunate”.
Obasanjo said “Boko Haram (sect) has been in existence for years…they didn’t disturb my government because when I was in government I did not disturb their Sharia.”
Speaking on the statement by Chief of Defence Staff Air Marshal Alex Bardeh that where the abducted girls are being kept had been found, Obasanjo urged the military not to engage in public relations stunts with the issue.
”This is not an issue that you will play Public Relations propaganda with. It is a serious issue that is like a spear in the heart of the parents and whatever statement we make and action we take, if it will not really deal with the issue in a way that will bring those girls out safe and secure and make their families happy and will also give every Nigerian a sense of security, then such statements should not be made,” he said.
The media also reported low-key celebrations marking Democracy day.
Channels Television headline on the story was "Democracy Day: Nigerians Observe Low Key Celebrations".
The TV station said Democracy Day was observed on Thursday, May 29, across Nigeria but the day was celebrated in low key, as most citizens stayed back in their homes to observe the holiday.
On a positive note, the papers reported the presentation of made-in-Nigeria vehicles to Jonathan.
According to the GUARDIAN, with the headline "Stallion Group presents made-in-Nigeria vehicles to Jonathan", three brands of Nissan automobiles....Nissan Patrol SUV, Almera Sunny saloon car and Nissan NP 300 Pick-Up van, were Thursday presented to President Goodluck Jonathan as they were introduced into the market during an exhibition.
Sunil Vaswani, Chairman of the Stallion Group, who presented the three models to President Jonathan, said the made-in-Nigeria Nissan automobiles were showcased to commemorate the nation’s democracy celebration and to highlight the local manufacturers success story.
The PUNCH treated the same story under the headline "Jonathan receives locally-made vehicles" while the DAILY INDEPENDENT headlined its story on the vehicles as "FG directs patronage of Made-in-Nigeria Stallion vehicles".
-0- PANA VAO/SEG 31May2014
