President Goodluck Jonathan has shown support to the United States of America’s
placement of a $7million ransom on the
leader of the Boko Haram sect, Abubakar
Shekau.
The United States yesterday posted up
to $23 million in rewards to help capture
five leaders of militant groups which have
spread terror in Nigeria and West Africa.
The highest reward of up to $7 million is
offered for the leader of Boko Haram
leader Abubakar Shekau, while $5 million
each was offered for alleged Al-Qaeda
veteran Mokhtar Belmokhtar and Yahya
Abou Al-Hammam, said to be a top figure
in Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb, US
officials said.
Jonathan, through his Special Adviser on
Media and Publicity, Dr Reuben Abati, last
night described the move by the American
government as a welcome development.
According to him, Nigeria welcomes any
effort made by the international community
to collaborate with her in the fight against
terrorism.
The presidential spokesman said the
placement of the ransom has shown that
terrorism is a global challenge requiring
global efforts towards fighting it.
He said: “It (the placement of ransom) is a
positive development. We welcome any
effort of the international community to
support Nigeria’s efforts towards waging
war against terrorism and its perpetrators.
What this proves is that terrorism is a
global phenomenon that requires global
efforts at combating it. Nigeria believes
that the international community needs to
come together to combat terrorism”.