AFRICA/NIGERIA - The government announces the "carrot and stick" approach to defeat Boko Haram: "it should have been used before", said Mgr. Kaigama

Abuja (Agenzia Fides) - "We are tired of theories, we want concrete results", says to Fides Agency His Exc. Mgr. Ignatius Ayau Kaigama, Archbishop of Jos and President of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of Nigeria, after the announcement of the National Security Adviser of the federal government, in Abuja, regarding the adoption of a "new approach" to defeat the Islamist Boko Haram group, that has been terrorizing the north of Nigeria. The new approach provides not only a military response but also a series of economic and social measures, which meet the demands of the people of the area.
According to the government, the new national strategy against terrorism was prepared in 18 months by a special commission with the advice of experts from other Countries.
Kaigama believes, however, that "this approach should have been adopted a long time ago, when it was easier to find the path of dialogue".
"Now I would not want it to be too late – said the Archbishop - . Things are much more complicated than a few years ago".
Kaigama adds: "in addition to Boko Haram, the security problem is represented by the attacks on villages by gangs of pastors equipped with increasingly sophisticated and powerful weapons (see Fides 17/03/2014). Although this is an issue that will be addressed, hopefully, during the National Conference to be held in Abuja".
"I am not a military expert - says the Archbishop of Jos - but as a common citizen I think I understand the desire of every Nigerian who wants to be able to live a normal life, to walk safely without the fear of being killed. The government now says it wants to adopt a multidimensional approach to solve the problem of Boko Haram. What we desire is for peace to be restored. We will continue to pray for this to happen". (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 21/03/2014)