The Nigerian presidency has reacted to the letter from UK
lawmakers, legal experts and campaigners.
The lawmakers recently reported President Muhammadu Buhari
to the Secretary-General of the Commonwealth over the spate of violence and
killings in Nigeria.
A statement on Thursday by presidential spokesman, Garba
Shehu, told them to work with Buhari and not fall for propaganda.
“We ask our British colleagues to visit Nigeria, whether
formally or informally to discuss all the points raised in their letter. Our
government is made equally of Christian and Muslim cabinet members; our Vice
President is an Evangelical Pastor. We have everything to gain as a country
through international cooperation with concerned, senior British
parliamentarians and policymakers.
“The threat to civilians and peaceful co-existence between
different ethnic and religious groups from Boko Haram, banditry and land
disputes is of serious concern to the President and the government. It is
incorrect, however, to assert that the government has or is doing nothing to
address these intertwined threats.
“Firstly, there are on-going efforts for the establishment
of cattle ranches to prevent or curtail open grazing, the practice that brings
herders and farmers into conflict. This is an age-old problem facing Nigerian
Governments since the colonial days. However, matters of land distribution are
dealt with at state level. This means willingness has to be shown by state
governors to drive the process forward.
“Secondly, with
regards to the long and determined battle waged against Boko Haram, Nigerians
are aware of the efforts made by this Government. When the government came to
power, the terrorist group held and administered an area the size of Belgium.
Now they hold none. The terrorists are hiding out amongst remote forests and
across borders.
“Thirdly, in the face of rising crime and insecurity, the
government’s new community policing initiative was launched this month. 10,000
new constables are being recruited from the areas they will safeguard – as
opposed to past practice. The government hopes this will bring policing closer
to local communities. N13 billion has been earmarked for this initiative”, he
said.
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