By AbdulSalam Muhammad

KANO — Vice President, Muhammad Namadi Sambo, yesterday, distanced the Federal Government from the activities of Jama’atul Ahalil Suna LIdawatul Jihad, otherwise known as Boko Harama.

The Vice President, who spoke during a condolence visit to the emir of Kano, Alhaji Muhammadu Sunusi II at his palace, over last week’s suicide bomb attack on the Central Mosque in Kano, described as untrue the insinuation in certain quarters that government has hands in the insurgent activities.

The vice president maintained that political undertone being attached to the issue of the insurgency was the handiwork of those who knew nothing about the security challenges.

Sambo who spoke in Hausa dialect, stressed that “the Federal government has no hands in the ongoing insurgency in Nigeria. The government is saddled with the responsibility of protecting lives and property of its subject, as well as ensuring peace in the nation.”

He disclosed that the Federal Government was deeply worried by the unfolding security challenges in the country, pointing out that, government has adopted proactive measures to address the menace. According to him, those who were saddled with the task of ensuring security in the country, are from the north, and are adherents of the religion of Islam, stressing that, no right-thinking person would love to take solace, or derive any pleasure in the atrocities committed by members of the Boko Haram sect.

He said, “take the issue of the Minister of Defence, General Aliyu Gusau, he is a Muslim and from Zamfara State, the National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki, is also a Muslim from Sokoto State, the Inspector General of Police, Alhaji Suleman Abba is a Muslim from Jigawa State and my humble self hails from Zaria town, Kaduna State.

“It is unfair for anybody to think that as Muslims, and northerners holding political positions in the Federal Government we can connive or aid anyone or group of persons committing atrocities in the north and the nation as a whole.”

Sambo stated that “with the crop of the security chiefs saddled with commanding the security aparatus of this country from the north, one should appreciate the fact that, there is no way the insurgency could be fuelled by the government.”

The Vice President reminded Nigerians that, fighting terrorism is the collective responsibility of all, adding that “it requires close collaboration between the communities and security agencies.”

Sambo stated that “ with unity and sincerity of purpose, the Boko Haram menace could be put in check and their activities obliterated from our social life.”

Responding, the Emir of Kano, Muhammad Sunusi II, described Friday bombing of Kano Central Mosque as act of God, saying, “we have accepted it as the will of God.”

Sanusi II tasked the Federal Government to investigate and identify the sponsors of the Boko Haram sect, adding that that is the only way to bring the perpetrators to book.