President Goodluck Jonathan on Thursday urged those who have been protesting the abduction of more than 200 schoolgirls in Chibok, Borno State to henceforth direct their protests to terrorists and not the government.
He also urged them to learn from citizens of other countries who do not blame their governments for any terrorist acts in their nations.
The president also admitted publicly for the first time that his administration was currently consulting with some stakeholders with a view to exploring what he called alternative methods of resolving the present crisis.
Jonathan made the disclosure in speech delivered on his behalf by the Minister of State, Federal Capital Territory, Olajumoke Akinjide, to a team of #BringBackOurGirls campaigners led by a former Minister of Education, Oby Ezekwesili.
The protesters who earlier planned to take their protest to the Presidential Villa where they wanted Jonathan to address them were restricted to the Federal Secretariat within the Three Arms Zone, a few metres away from the Villa gate by security agencies.
Those who joined Akinjide in the delegation that represented Jonathan at the rally included the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator Pius Anyim; Minister of FCT, Bala Mohammed; Minister of Information, Labaran Maku; Minister of Women Affairs, Zaynab Maina; and Minister of Environment, Lawrencia Laraba.
Others were the Special Adviser to the President on Ethics and Values, Sarah Jubiril; Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Reuben Abati and Senior Special Assistant on Public Affairs, Dr. Doyin Okupe, among others.
Jonathan, in the speech, made spirited efforts to convince the protesters that contrary to their belief, his administration was working hard in conjunction with the international community to rescue the abducted girls and end terrorism.
He said it was wrong and unfair to say that there was a slow response to the abduction.
He said, “It is wrong and most unfair to suggest that there was a slow reaction to this kidnapping. As Commander-in-Chief, Mr. President meets with the security chiefs almost daily and he is on constant consultation with regional and global partners on this terrorists’ threat.
“That is why I want to appeal to your group and to others through this medium that it is important that genuine patriotic zeal is matched with the realistic understanding of the situation in expressing concern and sentiment on this matter and other matters of terrorism.
“As early as January 23, 2013, Mr. President at Davos, Switzerland asked the world for help in tackling terrorism. He later met with President Obama during the United Nations General Assembly meeting in September 2013 where he also requested for the support of the United States of America.
“Government believes that we must all come together to fight terrorism and that protest should be directed at the terrorists who have abducted our innocent daughters and deprive them of a place at the fountain of freedom in our country.
“Our security forces are among the best trained in Africa, they are making so much sacrifices in the fight against terror. As we sleep daily, they are on the field confronting the enemy. They need our support, not attack and discouragement. They are also losing their lives.
“When terrorists see Nigerians turn on each other in blame, it gives them a huge moral boost. We must never lose sight of the fact that the terrorists are the real enemies.”
Jonathan warned the protesters and Nigerians against politicising the anti-terrorism campaign, saying nationals of other countries do not behave that way.
“We must be careful not to politicise the campaign against terrorism. When a bomb goes off in Kabul, Afghanistan, the people of Afghanistan do not blame the government, they blame the terrorists.
“When a bomb goes off in Baghdad, Iraq, the people of Iraq do not blame the government, they blame the terrorists.
“When a bomb goes off in Islamabad, Pakistan, the people of Pakistan do not blame the government, they blame the terrorists.
“When a bomb goes off in Nigeria, we must all unite to fight the terrorists. This is the task of this generation.
“Our daughters must be freed to come home to their parents and loved ones. Our daughters must be freed so that they can return to schools to receive their education.
“Our daughters must be freed so that they can return home to be with their friends and play like all children their age do.
“All Nigerians must unite against terror, whether we be male or female, old or young, North or South, irrespective of political or religious affiliation. This is our fight, we must unite. The Federal Government is united with the people of Nigeria in this fight,” he added.
The President reeled out the various steps his administration had taken to rescue the abducted girls.
These, according to him included military and diplomatic efforts.
Beyond that, he said he had started consultation for alternative methods of resolving the impasse.
He added, “Government has mobilised all resources, military and diplomatic, in the search for our girls who have suffered so much trauma in captivity by agents of terror.
“From the very first day this kidnapping occurred, the Federal Government took action, directing our security services to go after the abductors.
“The search for our daughters has now assumed regional and global proportions and our nation has received strong supports from our neighbouring countries and the international community, including the United States, China, Africa, the United Kingdom and the entire African continent.
“The security forces have also reached out to the Borno State Government and community members for support and collaboration to bring back our innocent daughters. So far, the campaign to bring our daughters back home is on and is receiving global support.
“Nigeria in collaboration with Niger, Chad, Cameroon and Benin Republic have all agreed to establish a single centre for sharing intelligence on the activities of terrorists across our national boundary.
“Apart from those efforts on the public space, we have initiated consultations with so many stakeholders to explore alternative methods of resolving this crisis.”
The President urged civil society groups to use their influence to encourage Nigerians to provide useful information to the security services, using the emergency number 112, saying citizens must protect citizens if their civilisation is to endure.
He however appreciated the support and efforts of the group and others across the worldwide against the kidnap and senseless mayhem.
He described the act as very painful, adding that the world is under the grip of terrorism
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