Elite Nigerians used terrorism for selfish interests – Minimah

Former Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Lt. Gen. Kenneth Minimah has accused Nigeria’s elite of using the Boko Haram insurgency to further political, religious and sectional interests.

Minimah said:

“The insurgency snowballed into a graver dimension because these people exploited the security challenge to further sectional, religious and political interests.”

“In the last decade, we have seen the extent to which people who harbour evil against their fellow co-patriots can go to inflict pain and death on innocent people.”

“This is the time for us to rise in unison not only to condemn but to take actions against the activities of the Boko Haram terrorists and other criminal elements in order to foster peace and security in our society.”

“Perhaps, if we had all stood against the terrorists at the outset through condemnation of their activities and active collaboration with the military to confront them, rather than use it as a tool to advance section, tribal, religious and political interests, we would not have been where we find ourselves today.

He also said that the Nigerian government had made light of the health and vitality of the military through inadequate funding.

Former Chief of Defence Staff, Alex Badeh had also said during his Pulling-Out ceremony that the military under him was ill-equipped.