Compensate Boko Haram Victims, APC Tells Jonathan

The All Progressives Congress has disagreed with
President Goodluck Jonathan's position that the
Federal Government will not compensate the
victims of the Boko Haram killings, which started in
2009.
The party said if the decision was upheld, it would
amount to double failure on the part of the Federal
Government and double jeopardy for the victims.
A statement by the Interim National Chairman of the
party, Chief Bisi Akande in Abuja on Wednesday,
contained the party's position.
Akande said in the first instance, the killings and
maiming occurred because the Federal
Government failed in its most important task of
ensuring the security of lives and property.
He added that the same government that failed to
live up to the main reason for its existence, which
he said was the security and welfare of the
citizenry, had now failed to provide succour for the
victims of its own failure.
He said, "This constitutes double irresponsibility on
the part of the government, and double jeopardy for
the thousands of victims, who have been killed and
wounded by the insurgents.
"After the people were victimised by Boko Haram,
they are now being victimised by their government.
This is unacceptable, and President Jonathan must
have a rethink.
"The APC believes that the issue of compensation
for victims of Boko Haram should not be subject to
any debate."
He said all victims of the Boko Haram insurgency
must be compensated without delay, and that they
must be given succour and be made to feel that
their government cares for them.
Akande admitted that compensation would not be
able to bring back the thousands who have been
killed, he said the compensation was capable of
providing succour for the children, parents,
brothers, sisters and other family members left
behind by the victims.