US Cautions Dokubo, Tompolo, Others Over Inflammatory Statements

The United States Commission on International
Religious Freedom (USCIRF) has cautioned former
militants of the Niger Delta, Alhaji Mujaheed
Dokubo-Asari, Victor Ben Ebikabowei aka Boy Loaf,
and Government Ekpemupolo, aka, Tompolo, over
all the inflammatory statements that are being
credited to them in the build up to the presidential
election that is coming up next week Saturday.
The commission while making this warning in its
latest report which its chairman, Dr. Katina Lantos
Swett, made available to correspondents of the
Department of State in Washington, DC during the
week, added that such statements coming from the
former militants who have been threatening wars if
President Goodluck Jonathan loses the election,
could lead to a religiously-motivated violence if
proper measures are not taken by politicians and
security agents in good time.
Reacting to the inflammatory statements that are
being credited to the former militants, the USCRIF
warned President Goodluck Jonathan and other
candidates to prevent the looming electoral
violence by calming their supporters as well as
warning them against such statements.
USCIRF also called on all Nigeria’s political parties
to hold responsible their members who are issuing
statements inciting violence along religious lines. It
also called on the Nigeria’s police and judiciary to
impartially hold accountable all perpetrators of
electoral violence.
The agency however hailed the decision of the
United States to withhold visas to persons who
engage in, plan, and/or perpetrate electoral
violence in Nigeria, adding that such decision
would send a strong message in support of
peaceful elections in the country. It also maintained
that every effort needed to be undertaken to ensure
peaceful elections and prevent the use of religion
to stir up more violence
Meanwhile, the United Nations Security Council has
condemned in the strongest terms the continued
escalation of attacks perpetrated by Boko Haram
terrorists, pointing to an attack on 1 February in
Borno State, Nigeria and to increasing attacks in
the Lake Chad Basin region, including, on 29 and
30 January, against Chadian forces deployed in
Cameroon near the town of Fotokol, which killed
four Chadian soldiers and injured 12 others.
In a statement issued to the press in New York, the
15 members extended their condolences and
sympathies to the families of those killed and
injured, and to the peoples and the Governments of
the Federal Republic of Nigeria and Chad.
Recalling their Presidential Statement of 19
January this year, Council members reiterated their
deep concern that the activities of Boko Haram are
undermining the peace and stability of the West
and Central African region.
They urged the region to enhance regional military
operations and coordination to more effectively and
immediately combat Boko Haram. In that regard,
they commended the Chadian army’s swift
assistance in Cameroon, which resulted in
neutralisation of 123 Boko Haram combatants and
the capture of others.
Members of the 15-State body reaffirmed that
terrorism in all its forms and manifestations,
including the actions of Boko Haram, constitutes
one of the most serious threats to international
peace and security, and that any acts of terrorism
are criminal and unjustifiable, regardless of their
motivation, wherever, whenever and by whosoever
committed.