Boko Haram infiltrates schools •Teaches pupils false doctrines •FG tasks security agencies to monitor preachings

Posted by admin Boko Haram, Latest Politics Thursday, February 23rd, 2012

THE Federal Government has raised the alarm over infiltration of Islamic schools and centres across the country by some members of the Boko Haram sect.

Government has, therefore, warned parents and guardians to closely monitor their children “against this emerging trend of teaching pupils false doctrines.”

Permanent Secretary, Special Services Office, Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF), Esther Gonda, revealed this on Thursday in Abuja at the meeting of Federal and State Security Administrators (FSSAM).

She said: “There are disturbing reports about the infiltration of the Boko Haram sect members of some Islamic centres.”

Gonda said that the indoctrination of pupils at their formative ages could confuse them as to the practice of true religion and erode their loyalty to the constitution and national goals of Nigeria, as well as provide the sect with the support base it needed to pursue its extremist agenda.

She further added that it had become imperative for the security agencies to monitor religious preaching and teaching in the country against the backdrop of this emerging trend of teaching pupils false doctrines.

Gonda said government was unwavering in dealing with the security challenges in the country, saying from January to November 2011, with the concerted effort of the security agencies, 190 kidnappers and 764 armed robbers were arrested nationwide and are being prosecuted.

Also about 725 different kinds of weapons and 30,548 live ammunition were recovered. She said that the figures were quite frightening, further underlining the need to address them in the overall interest of the country’s development.

With regard to the incessant clashes between farmers and herdsmen, the permanent secretary called on state governments to establish functional peace and security committees in every local government and to ensure that they meet regularly to address disputes arising from farming and grazing issues.

The permanent secretary reminded the participants in the meeting that one important way of reducing insecurity in the society was by engaging in a vigorous enlightenment campaign to raise the security consciousness of the citizenry.

She said that local communities must be encouraged to report suspicious persons or groups of persons to the appropriate authority for apprehension.

Gonda then called on state governments to set up inter-agency platforms, consisting of all security and law enforcement agencies, to share information freely to stop local crises and resolve them before they spiralled out of control.

She stated that there was a need for attitudinal change and value orientation of Nigerians so as to believe in the country and its potential for greatness.

-Tribunewp_posts