Empower police to deal with Boko Haram – Buhari

July 27, 2012 by John Alechenu 

Presidential Candidate for the Congress for Progressive Change in the 2011 elections, Maj-Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), has asked the Federal Government to empower the police to deal with the Boko Haram insurgency.

Buhari spoke on the sidelines of the presentation of a book titled, ‘How I governed Anambra State: Stewardship & Accountability’ in Abuja, on Thursday.

The book was written by a former governor of Anambra State, Dr. Chinwoke Mbadinuju.

Also at this event, an All Nigeria Peoples Party stalwart, Dr. Chukwuemeka Ezife, said Nigeria and Nigerians had become unpopular because “we have killed our conscience.”

Buhari said, “The bombings have subsided. It’s up to the law enforcement agents. This is probably the problem of the police. You know, they (Police and SSS) have to secure the country. Constitutionally it’s their job

“Boko Haram as I said, I would rather that the police should be empowered.

“It’s the police that live with the people- they know in every police command- the neighborhood and so on. A lot of the responsibility I think should go to the police.”

The one time military dictator also decried the poor state of the nation’s education system.

Buhari said, “Our education has virtually collapsed. How many libraries do we have in the states not to talk about the local governments? People can’t afford to buy books.

“Education has deteriorated. If you look around the country, how many people are getting good credits in English language which is the official (language) in the country?”

Buhari commended the author for taking off time to put his experiences in writing.

He, however, disagreed with the author’s postulations that our problems lie with followership and not the leadership.

Earlier, Dr. Chukwuemeka Eziefe said it was in the interest of us all that Nigeria survives.

He said, “It is in the interest of all that Nigeria survives. As the largest country in Africa, we have, the destiny to be the greatest. No Boko Haram can stop it.”

Author of the book, Dr. Chinwoke Mbadinuju, seized the opportunity to dispel the long held belief that schools in Anambra State were closed for one year during his administration.

SOURCE: The Punch - Nigeria's Most Widely Read Newspaper 27 July 2012.