Only Education, Hope Can Stop Boko Haram — Ensign

Nigeria will have to employ non-military tactics, like providing education and employment to youths if the Boko Haram menace is to be stopped.

This was the position of Margee Ensign, President of the American University in Nigeria (AUN), Yola, Adamawa state who spoke in an interview with in Abuja/

Ensign said most of the people used by the Boko Haram sect are pushed into violence by the harsh realities of their lives.

"You are a poor kid, you have no food, your parents are gone and somebody comes and says 'here is N2000, go kick this guy out'.

"What options do you have? You have no money, you have no food."

Ensign opined that a military solution is imperative but will only be effective if supported with non-military solutions.

"You have to get these vulnerable kids into a different mindset.

"We've gotta give them hope.

"We've got to education and access to health care and employment opportunity.

"The military, the police, the physical security solution is just the beginning.

"If we we are not ready with all these programs to help these people it's not gonna ends.

She called on the government to fulfil its primary responsibility of providing "for the security of its citizens."

"You have to stop the violence. People are terrorized so you have to get the situation under control."

In an obvious response to recent news of military dissent over inadequate equipment to battle insurgency, Ensign urged the government to provide adequately for her military.

"You have a very capable military.

"Give the military what they need in terms of training and resources but monitor them.

Ensign has lived in Yola, one of the states worst hit by the insurgency, for a long time.