ABUJA – The Grand Alliance Against Terrorism (GAAT), an NGO, has urged Nigerians to join the crusade for national consensus in the fight against terrorism to make the country peaceful.
The Secretary General of the organisation, Mr Ariyo Atoye, made the call at a news conference in Abuja on Monday.
He said the citizenry must support the security agencies and government to overcome the insurgency problem in the country, adding that “security remained everybody’s business.’’
He noted that “while we explore both local and international cooperation to ensure that our kidnapped students are released, we must ensure that we put an end to terrorism.’’
Atoye said the abduction and kidnapping of Nigerians, especially the girl-child and women, should be condemned by all.
The secretary general reiterated the group’s commitment toward ensuring that the abducted Chibok schoolgirls were reunited with their families safe and alive.
“We support every initiative by government, security agencies and sincere stakeholders to bring back our girls.
“This is one task that we must achieve as a nation to put terror to shame and defeat the axis of evil in our land.’’
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He commended the presence of the Pakistani Girls’ Education campaigner, Ms Malala Yousafzai in Nigeria and her effort to ensure that the abducted Chibok girls were released.
The group also urged Malala and other international stakeholders in the fight against terrorism to support Nigeria to drive a global consensus in defeating acts of terror in Nigeria and the world.
He said “we trust in God that our girls will come home.
“However, since Boko Haram has keyed into global terrorism, we need international support to block foreign support to the insurgents.
“It is beyond Nigeria. The world must support us,” Atoye said.
He, however, frowned at methods being employed by certain individuals, groups and organisations, which he said were creating unnecessary tension in the nation.
“Let us always remember the saying that `united we stand, divided we fall.
“Let us learn from the bitter experience of our past and other nations. We have no other home.’’
Atoye commended the media for their reportage as the country battle the insurgency problem.
“The fight against terrorism is a collective responsibility and we urge you to remain vigilant and be on the part of Federal Republic of Nigeria to overcome the challenge,” he stressed. (NAN)
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